Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Port Harcourt, Nigeria using Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index

Authors: Toko MA, Shaibu-Imodagbe EM, Okuofu CA, Giwa A

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

Thirty (30) samples of groundwater in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were collected quarterly for a period of one year and analysed for thirteen (13) water quality parameters including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride (Cl). Other parameters analysed were biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) nitrate (NO₃), sulphate (SO₄), ammonia (NH₃), potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), using standard methods. Laboratory results were used to develop weighted arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI) and water quality map of the study area. The analysed results revealed that 93.3% of the samples fell under excellent and good categories of WAWQI as their values ranged from 5.70 to 38.36 while 6.7% of the samples fell under poor and unsuitable categories with values ranging from 66.74 to 415.40. However, it was noted that the groundwater quality improved during the rainy season for the entire study area but deteriorated towards the southern part of the study area irrespective of season. Hence, it was recommended that relevant regulatory bodies should investigate the anthropogenic activities occurring at the southern part of the study area with emphasis on a particular town.

Download Full Text