SEASONAL VARIATION OF WATER QUALITY OF SELECTED HAND-DUGGED WELLS IN BIDA METROPOLIS

Abstract

This study evaluates the seasonal variation of water quality from selected hand-dugged wells in Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. The water samples were collected in both dry and wet seasons and evaluated for its suitability for human consumption by subjecting the samples to physical, chemical and bacteriological analyses. Fifteen (15) parameters including pH, Econductivity, Alkalinity, Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorides, Bicarbonate, Total dissolve Solids, Nitrates, Phosphates, BOD, COD, Total bacterial count and Total Coli form count were evaluated. The results indicated that there are more impurities in hand– dugged wells during dry season. The work among other findings, revealed total coliform count ranges from 60 cfu/100ml to 34cfu/100ml in rainy season and 9 cfu/100ml to 72 cfu/100ml in dry season. The total bacterial count ranges from 18 cfu/ml x104 to 42 cfu/ml x104 in rainy season and 14 cfu/ml x104 to 66 cfu/ml x104 in dry season. Total dissolve solids TDS ranges from 25.9mg/l to 506mg/l and 25.36mg/l to 519.4mg/l in dry season, except for sample D (Mayaki Legbodza Area) which is above the standard limit. Nitrate ranges from 0.76 mg/l to 8.22 mg/l and 1.75 mg/l in rainy season and dry season respectively. These and other parameters explored were all within the permissible limits of World Health Organizations and Nigeria Standards for Drinking Water Quality.