Physicochemical characteristics of boreholes water samples from a tertiary institution in Elele, Nigeria

Abstract

Water samples, designated A, B, and C, were taken from three different boreholes used as sources of water for drinking and other domestic purposes by students of a tertiary institution in Elele, Southeastern Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters of these water samples were assessed and compared with the WHO reference standards. The pH for samples A,B, and C were 5.7, 5.6 and 5.6 respectively, whereas the corresponding values for biological oxygen demand (BOD) were 3.52 mg/l, 3.20 mg/l and 3.20 mg/l. The values for total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, alkalinity, conductivity, sulphate, nitrate, and chloride in all three samples were significantly below the WHO maximum acceptable limit. Lead, nickel and cadmium were not detected while traces of copper were present in all three samples.


IJONAS Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 107-110