Investigation of ground water quality in Bungudu and Nahuce towns

Abstract

The aim of this research work is to determine the physical, chemical and heavy metals properties of some selected wells and boreholes in Bungudu and Nahuce towns in Zamfara state Nigeria. Local latrine pits are dug and used for defecation in these towns, most of these pits are found closer or less than 15m to water source as required by World Health Organization. Therefore, there is fear of water contamination, physical, chemical and heavy metals characteristics of borehole and well water of Bungudu Birnin Malan second Juma’a mosque, vartugufa Nasarawa and Nahuce, Sabon Gari, Juma’a mosque, Yarkaita and opposite Hospital Nahuce were investigated and found to be within the acceptable limits set by World Health Organization. All the physical parameters such as colour, odour, turbidity (0.01 to 2.65NTU) and temperature for both boreholes and wells were found to be within acceptable limits. The chemical parameters, i.e., pH (6.9 to 7.7) and nitrite (0.01 to 0.04mg/L) are also within the recommended range. Presence of heavy metals such as Aluminium (0.01 to 0.04mg/L), Zinc (0.01 to 0.09mg/L) and total hardness (71 to 200mg/L) are all within the range of acceptable concentration. Therefore, ground water from the study area can be used for human consumption, domestic used, food processing, fish farming, irrigation and industrial applications.