Quality assessment of borehole water in Nigeria

Abstract

major themes of environmental, economic and social debates. Boreholes represent a major source of potable water supply for most urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Considering its continued proliferation, it becomes necessary to examine its water quality assessment and health implications. Some experts believe that the water from these boreholes is polluted as they are not adequately treated before consumption. This study employed the bibliographical approach, wherein it analyzed relevant literature. The analysis showed that there is no borehole water in any environment in Nigeria that is automatically safe, as the cost implications of getting a completely safe borehole is not within the reach of an average Nigerian. This reaffirms the need for a continued effort at investigating the quality of borehole water nationwide in order to ascertain the nature of water being consumed by the people. The study recommends water quality assessments which employ mathematical models and statistical techniques such as water quality index. This is because it was observed that most previous studies did not employ it. Water quality index does not only describe the behavior of the water quality indicators, it also allows for estimates and of future scenarios. Such analysis can be of great importance in the management of water resource, as well as in the formulation and implementation of national and state water policies.