Environmental Impact of Leachate Pollution on Ground Water Quality at Yelwa Kagadama, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of solid waste dumpsites leachate on groundwater quality of Yelwa Kagadama Bauchi, in Bauchi State, Nigeria was evaluated using appropriate standard techniques. The parameters determined included nitrite, magnesium, total alkalinity, sulphate, calcium, phosphate, temperature, TDS, conductivity, pH, colour and turbidity. It was discovered that the wells have high level of colour ranges from 0 to 85 which shows that well I 25, well II 60 and well IV 85 did not falls within the standard compared to WHO and NSDWQ standard of 5.00, but other parameters are within the NSDWQ standard. Hence such water should be treated by employing some measures such as applying alum and disinfectant before use which will help to reduce pollutants, but majorly an improved water supply to the study area will go a long way to correct the unhealthy condition. The pH ranges from 6.33 to 7.79 indicating toxic pollution, turbidity was between 0, 1, 8, 12 and 29 NTU respectively and the concentration of nitrite ranges from 0.010 to 0.008 mg/l which falls within the standard, calcium ranges from 83 to 166 mg/l which does not fall within the standard, which shows the presence of hardness in water. The implication is that forming lather with soap.  The results show that all but some of the well was strongly polluted but will require certain levels of treatment before use. Also casing of the wells is of critical importance in addition to siting dump site at reasonable distances from wells, sorting, and adoption of clean technology to prevent further contamination of ground water flow are recommended.