Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Development of Water Quality Map for Ogbomoso Metropolis

Abstract

Ibironke OO, Adegoke OJ and Akindipe RD

The quality of water is usually strongly considered as criteria for its suitability for a purpose. Important physical, chemical and bacteriological properties form the basis to judge the quality of water. To determine whether a particular water sample is of acceptable quality for drinking, it is necessary to compare its properties with the regulatory limits of certain well known and accepted standards set by organizations like World Health Organization, US Environmental Protection Agency, Nigeria International Standards etc. The focus of this project is to investigate the extent of contaminants in the available water sources and the causative agents in Ogbomoso North and South Metropolis. 100 water samples were collected through an evenly spread sample point positioning system across the study area, to give an averagely accurate analysis of the result. The Physical properties like Temperature, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids; Chemical parameters like Heavy metal concentration and Bacteriological parameters like E-Coli and T-Coli coliform count were analysed and the results were compared with regulatory limits. From the results derived, the physical parameters of tested water samples fall within the WHO standard limits. However, water samples in Ogbomoso North and South Local Government Area contain E-Coli and T-Coli concentration that exceeds the WHO standard of 0 MPN/ 100ml. Wards like Ilogbo (Papa Abede) and Ilogbo/ Arada were found to contain high concentration of Iron that exceeds the acceptable 1 mg/l limit due to the presence of a number of dumpsites and light industries. Phosphate concentration in all water samples tested exceeded the WHO and NIS standard of 5 mg/l, which is as a result of uncontrolled septic waste and fertilizer run-off. The concentration of Manganese in all water samples across the study area also exceeded the 0.2 mg/l WHO and NIS standard for potable water as a result of the unchecked Industrial activities and vehicle emission in the area. Other areas with significant pollution cases especially Sulphate concentration that exceeds the WHO regulatory limit of 250 mg/l in water samples include Osupa and Jagun, this can be attributed to the number of the dumping sites present and action of leachates in the areas. The resulting health implication of these findings was discussed. A water quality map was developed to show the varying concentration of water properties across Ogbomoso North and South Local Government Area. The study suggests waste control activities be adopted in the study area and public enlightenment schemes to protect water sources in the area, as the task of reducing the extent of contaminants in water sources in Ogbomoso North and South LGA requires the effort of the residents, government and relative organizations.