Studies on Water Quality in Suleja, Niger State for Domestic and Irrigational Purposes

Abstract

Geochemical evaluation of surface and groundwater in Suleja, a neighbouring town to Nigerian's Federal Capital Territory Abuja was investigated. A total of 40 water samples comprising of 25 hand-dug wells, 10 boreholes and 5 surface water were collected and analysed. Prior to the analysis, the physical parameters were determined in the field. The result ofthe water quality iiidex revealed that the water in the area is poor in the order of: hand dug well > surface water > borehole. The poor quality can be attributed to the high loading of faecal contamination resulting from poor sanitary condition around the surface water and shallow hand-dug wells as well as weathering and bedrock dissolution in the course of groundwater movement. The water type in the area is fresh water with alkaline characteristics typical of bicarbonate type. Based on the computed value of sodium adsorption ratio, the water in the area is good for irrigational purposes. Education of the people on the health impacts of contaminated water and boiling of water is encouraged.