Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Recent Scientific

International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Research Vol. 10, Issue, 12(A), pp. 36225-36229, December, 2019 ISSN: 0976-3031 DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR Research article

PHYSIOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER SOURCES IN

Iwuala, C. C1., Dozie, I.N.S1., *Udujih, H.I2 and Udujih, O.G1

1Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, 2Imo State University Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2019.1012.4883

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Drinking water sources in Imo State, Nigeria were assessed for temperature, appearance, total, Article History: suspended solids, total dissolved solids, electrical conducting, PH, total hardness, turbidity and Received 06th September, 2019 heavy metals content using standard for the examination of water and waste water. The results Received in revised form 14th showed that majority (76.92%) of the properties tested were not within the WHO recommended September, 2019 standard. The properties found to be within the WHO recommended standard were PH, temperature, Accepted 23rd November, 2019 dissolved oxygen and solids. The presence of impurities in water reduces the quality therefore the Published online 28th December, 2019 need for constant monitoring of drinking water sources cannot be over emphasized.

Key Words:

Physiochemical, Drinking Water, Imo State

Copyright © Iwuala, C. C et al, 2019, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons

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INTRODUCTION latitudes 4°45'N and 7°15'N, and longitude 6°50'E and 7°25'E. Imo State has many rivers. The main rivers in the state are Imo, Background Otamiri and . The major lakes are in and Abadaba

The concern for water resources containing contaminants such in Obowu Local Government Area. as heavy metals and toxic metalloids that pose a threat to health Sample Collection and Analysis has increased worldwide (Donahue et al, 1983; White et al, 2005; Bozkurtoglu et al, 2006 and Osunwa, 2011). Water samples used for this study were collected from the different water sources (Rivers, Streams, Lakes, Springs, The increased rate of biochemical reactions that accompanies Rainwater, Tap-water, Boreholes, Storage Tanks, Mosques an increase in temperature, combined with a decrease in the etc.) available in the selected study areas. Thirty eight Water quantity of oxygen present in surface waters, can cause serious samples, with an average of 12 water samples per zone were depletions in dissolved oxygen concentration (Tchobanologous, collected. 1979). The physical characteristics of water include temperature, colour, taste, odour, solids and conductivity Water samples were collected in 1–litre sterile bottles and (Jackson, 1990). Temperature is a very important parameter plastic cans and processed according to the standard of Baker because of its effects on the aquatic life, chemical reactions and (1971), Cruickshank et al (1975), NWRI (1997), Cheesebrough reaction rates, and the suitability of water for beneficial uses. (2004), and transported to the laboratory for analyses. Samples were transported in ice-packs and ice-boxes where delays were METHODS envisaged.

Study Area For Physico-Chemical Analysis, water samples were analyzed for the following parameters: Temperature (Thermometer), The area of study is Imo State. The state is named after the Imo Appearance, Total Suspended Solids (MFT), Total Dissolved river. The geo-political zones in Imo State are Okigwe, Orlu Solids (Total Dissolved Solid-meter), Electrical Conductivity and Owerri. It has Owerri as it capital and largest city. Situated (Conductivity Meter), PH (ph meter), Total Hardness (EDTA in South Eastern Nigeria, and covering an area of 5,530 square Manver 2 Hardness Powder Indicator, Hardness Buffer kilometres. Imo State derives its name from Imo River, which Solution), Turbidity (Spectrophotometer) Heavy Metals takes its course from the Okigwe/Awka upland. It lies within Content (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).

*Corresponding author: Udujih, H.I Imo State University Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Iwuala, C. C et al., Physiochemical Assessment of Drinking Water Sources In Imo State

Standard for the examination of water and waste water as All the Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) readings obtained from described by APHA (2005) was used for the estimation of drinking water samples analysed were well below the Temperature, PH and Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solute, Threshold Limit of the WHO standard for TDS. Chlorine and Total Dissolved Calcium and Magnesium Hydrogen ION Concentration – pH hardness was determined using NWRI (1997) stipulations. The average pH of the different water sources ranged from 5.2 RESULTS – 9.9. Ezewara Ihube Springwater, Okigwe zone had the

The levels for each of the assessed water properties such as the highest pH (most basic) reading, whilst Ezelukwu Springwater, PH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total Umueze, Okigwe, and the at Awo Omamma, Orlu dissolved solids, colour, turbidity, total hardness, total chlorine, Zone, had the lowest (most acidic) pH values.The highest pH sulphate, BOD and COD in water samples taken from Imo value for Sachet Water samples was 7.99 for Agad Sachet State, Nigeria are presented on Table 1a and 1b, along with the Water, Owerri, and the lowest pH value for sachet water was WHO standard for each of the properties. Apparently majority Prime Mego Sachet Water from Orlu,Orlu zone. of the properties tested were not within the WHO and Obana River water samples had a pH of 6.6 and 7.3 recommended standard. The properties found within the WHO respectively, which fell within the acceptable range of the Standard were PH (WHO level: 6.5-8.5, Imo level: 7.75) and WHO Standard. Dissolved Oxygen (WHO: >4mg/L, Imo State Total =5.42mg/L).

Table 1a The Levels for Physico-Chemical Properties of Water Samples in Imo State

OWERRI OKIGWE ORLU TOTAL Sig WHO Std. Std. Std. Std. p- Properties STANDARD Average Average Average Average Dev Dev Dev Dev value PH 6.5 -8.5 6.51 0.864 6.643 1.246 6.948 0.910 6.752 1.009 0.345 Temperature (oC) 20 -30 28.127 0.918 27.407 0.980 27.707 0.786 27.711 0.931 0.193 Dissolved Oxygen, mg/L >4 4.854 1.395 5.786 1.461 5.429 1.085 5.416 1.361 0.210 Conductivity µS/cm 100 53.727 44.688 45.714 38.844 26.429 35.003 41.868 40.125 0.320 Total dissolved solids, 250 34.923 29.047 29.714 25.248 17.179 22.752 27.214 26.081 0.320 Mg/L Colour 15 132.091 268.595 0.786 2.940 1.571 5.598 39.105 152.086 0.051 Turbidity 5 152.804 472.446 2.214 8.285 0.86 1.910 45.366 255.306 0.026 Total hardness, mg/L 200 1.218 2.032 1.414 0.618 0.95 1.015 1.245 1.303 0.581

Table 1b The Levels for Physico-Chemical Properties of Water Samples in Imo State

OWERRI OKIGWE ORLU TOTAL Sig WHO Std. Std. Std. Std. p- Properties STANDARD Average Average Average Average Dev Dev Dev Dev value Total chloride, mg/L 0 189.755 81.696 505.812 213.357 387.212 287.936 467.402 327.611 0.842 Sulphate , mg/L 0 444.59 300.403 - - 473.75 77.287 203.077 177.435 0.055 Total suspended solids, 0 172.082 159.18 61.762 23.715 148.14 85.330 167.355 103.940 0.336 mg/L BOD 10 1.3 0.950 2.029 1.082 1.75 2.207 1.800 1.544 0.450 COD 15 1.978 1.643 3.246 1.732 6.194 12.522 4.100 7.720 0.253 p-value = 0.478, t= 0.4, df=24

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) COLOUR (PCU or Platinum Cobalt Units)

The average Total Dissolved Solids found in Imo State for the With the exceptions of Iyiogwugwu Springwater, Okigwe water samples is 27.21mg/L at a standard deviation (st.dev) of (11.00pcu), Imo River, Umuna Okigwe (730.0 pcu), Obana 26.08mg/L. Clearly the average total dissolved solids on Imo River, Oguta, Orlu Zone (21.0 pcu), Njaba River, Awo water samples fall within the acceptable WHO recommended Omamma, Orlu (1.00 pcu), Nworie River, Owerri (301.0 pcu), limit as it is below the 250mg/L WHO benchmark. For the Otamiri River, Owerri (231.0pcu) and the second Otamiri River three zones in the state, the average value of total dissolved Sample, Owerri (45.00pcu), ALL the other drinking water solids were found to be 34.92 mg/L (st.dev=29.05 mg/L) in samples analysed had the same value of 0.00 pcu. Colour is Owerri zone, 29.71 mg/L (st.dev=25.25 mg/L) in Okigwe zone one of the important indices used to assess quality of drinking and 17.18 mg/L (st.dev =22.75 mg/L) in Orlu zone. water. The highest value for colour (pcu) was from Imo River,

The highest TDS values recorded were 87.75mg/L, 98.8mg/L Umuna Okigwe. and 91.65mg/L for Iyiogwugwu Springwater (Okigwe), Temperature Borehole Sample, Egbu (Owerri), and Prime Mego Sachet 0 0 Water (Orlu) respectively. The lowest TDS value recorded was The Temperature range was from 25.8 C to 29.3 C, and the 0 4.55mg/L for both the Borehole Sample, Okporo (Orlu) and average temperature was 27.7 C.The highest temperature Timotex Sachet Water (Orlu) respectively, raising the recorded was from the Borehole source in Amawom, Owerri possibility of the Sachet water being drawn directly from this Central, and the lowest temperature reading was from Imo Borehole Water Source. River, Umuna, Okigwe. The average Borehole Water 0 Temperature value was 27.9 C and the average temperature reading for Spring water Sources was 27.80C. Iyiechu Stream, Okigwe, recorded a temperature reading of 26.50C.The average 36226 | P a g e International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 10, Issue, 12(A), pp. 36225-36229, December, 2019 temperatures for Borehole Water, Spring Water and River Hardness (TH) had values well within and way below the Water were 27.90C, 27.80C and 27.80C respectively. All the WHO Standard Threshold Limit. temperature readings from the different drinking water sources Turbidity fell within the acceptable range of the WHO Standard and Threshold Limits. Clearly the water turbidity level in Imo state is much higher than the WHO benchmark of 5NTU. The average turbidity Total Suspended Solids (TSS) level for drinking water sources sampled in Imo State was The Total Suspended Solids were found as an average total of found to be 45.37. It was found to be highest in Owerri zone at 167.36mg/L in Imo State. It was highest in Okigwe zone with a 152.8, followed by Okigwe zone at 2.21 and then Orlu zone at sample average value of 172.08mg/L, while it was lowest in the 0.86 NTU.

Okigwe zone with an average value of 61.76mg/L. The average Total Chloride Level total suspended solids value found in Orlu zone is 48.1mg/L. The bar chart below shows the average total suspended solids The WHO standard for total chloride level is zero, but the as well as those found in each of the three zones of Imo samples in Imo state, contained a total average of 467.47 mg/L. state.All the TSS values obtained from the drinking water Going by the zones in the state, the highest found chloride level samples studied far exceeded the threshold limit of the WHO was observed in Okigwe zone (total chloride = 189.76,mg/L) Standard value, with the exception of Otamiri River Water followed by Orlu zone ( 387.21mg/L) and the lowest average Sample, which had a value of 54.7mg/L which was just slightly value found in Owerri zone (189.75mg/L). above the recommended WHO Standard limit (50mg/L). This Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) value was the lowest by far, followed by the value obtained for the sample from Oguta Lake (Orlu zone). The water samples studied gave the average total BOD level to be 1.8mg/L in Imo State. On average, the BOD level on the The highest TSS value recorded was for Iyiebi Springwater, water samples were found to be 1.3mg/L in water samples from Amuzi (Okigwe), followed by Holy Family Sachet Water, Owerri zone, 2.03mg/L in water samples from Okigwe zone Egbeada (Owerri). and 1.75mg/L in water samples from Orlu zone. The bar chart Conductivity Values of Water Sources shows the average BOD level for each of the zones. The figure also shows that BOD level found in Imo State drinking water The Conductivity values of water sources in Imo State were samples tested were not above the WHO benchmark and thus found to be well below the WHO Standard. While the WHO within the acceptable limits. The highest BOD value recorded recommended a water conductivity level of 100µS/cm, the was for Oguta Lake (Orlu), 7.70mg/L, and the lowest value average conductivity level found in Imo State is only recorded in the study was 0.2mg/L for Timotex Sachet Water 40.13µS/cm (53.73 in Owerri zone, 45.71 in Okigwe zone and (Orlu), Masyco Sachet Water (Orlu), and Agad Sachet Water 26.43 in Orlu zone The conductivity value of the water (Owerri zone) respectively. sources recommended by WHO is far high in a line graph compared to what was recorded in Imo State. Variations in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) conductivity value of the water sources are observable in each In similarity to the result found on BOD, the COD level on the of the three zones of the state. water samples in Imo State were well within the range and The highest readings recorded were 135µS/cm, 141µS/cm and threshold limits recommended by WHO. The COD level was 152µS/cm, which were the values for Iyiogwugwu found to be on average total of 4.1mg/L in Imo State, with an Springwater (Okigwe), Prime Mego Sachet Water (Orlu), and average of 1.9mg/L in water samples from Owerri zone, Borehole Water, Egbu (Owerri) respectively. The lowest 3.25mg/L in the water samples from Okigwe zone and conductivity value was 7µS/cm which was recorded for 6.19mg/L in water samples from Orlu zone.

Timotex Sachet Water, Okporo (Orlu) and Borehole, Okporo Again, the highest COD value recorded from the drinking (Orlu).All the Conductivity values recorded were well below water samples was for Oguta Lake (12.32mg/L), whilst the the threshold value of the WHO Standard. lowest COD readings obtained were for Timotex Sachet Water Total Hardness Values (Orlu), Masyco Sachet Water (Orlu), and Agad Sachet Water (Owerri), which all had a value of 0.2mg/L. The Total Hardness values of the water samples in Imo state were all found to be within acceptable limits when compared DISCUSSION with the WHO recommended standard. The recommended level by WHO is 200mg/L, but the average total hardness Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) is determined by the content found in Imo State was 1.25mg/L, for which it was found as of dissolved substances discharged into it through natural and 1.218mg/L in Owerri zone, 1.414gm/L in Okigwe zone and anthropogenic activities. Extreme acidic and alkaline levels of 0.95 mg/L in Orlu. These are clearly represented in a Bar pH subjects aquatic micro and macro-organisms to highnrisk Chart.Otamiri River Water Sample (Owerri zone) recorded the (Alan, 1995). Oguta Lake had pH levels within acceptable highest TH value of 7.20mg/L, followed by Prime Mego limits. The pH levels found in Otamiri and Nworie rivers could Sachet Water (Orlu) with a value of 3.70mg/L. The lowest TH be due to constant pollution by industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes (Aririatu, 1999; Chikwendu, 2008). values recorded in the study were from the Njaba River, awo Omamma (Orlu zone), Borehole Amakohia (Oweri), Borehole, Conductivity - Jackson (1990) established that there is a Umuororonjo (Owerri) and Timotex Sachet Water, Okporo positive correlation between Dissolved solids and (Orlu). All the drinking water samples analyzed for Total Conductivity, which is a measure of ionized solids dissolved in 36227 | P a g e Iwuala, C. C et al., Physiochemical Assessment of Drinking Water Sources In Imo State water. Results obtained agreed with this assertion. Conductivity References and Dissolved solids were well below Threshold Limit of APHA (2005): Standard Methods for the Examination of WHO Standard. The average TDS in Imo State was st 27.21mg/dL, and Conductivity was 40.13µs/cm. The highest Water and Wastewater (21 Edition), American Public value for conductivity was 152µs/cm from Borehole water in Health Association, Washington D.C Cruikshank R., Duguid, J.P. and Swain R.H.A (1975): Egbu, Owerri zone, while the lowest values recorded were th from Timotex Sachet Water, Okporo and Borehole Water from Medical Microbiology (12 Edition) Volume 2: The Okporo. Both samples which were from the same location Practice of Medical Microbiology – Churchill and (Okporo) could mean the Sachet water was being collected Livingstone Edinburgh, London and New York 275-300, from the Borehole Source. 367-370. Baker, F.J, Siverton R.E. & Pallister C.J (1998); Introduction Total Hardness: Hardness in natural waters is as a result of to Medical Laboratory Technology (17th Edition). multivalent cations especially magnesium and calcium ions. Butterworths and Heinemann Co. Ltd 251-324. Studies carried out in Southeastern Nigeria (Obiekezie et al Donahue, R. L, Miller, R. W. and Shicklune, J. C. (1983): (2006), Okereke et al (2006), and Nwaugo et al (2006) show Soils, an Introduction to Soil and Plant Growth. Prentice that water in these area, which includes the study area, tend to May Inc. Englewood Clifts, New Jersey 1983 5th be soft. Water sources studied had Total Hardness values Edition. within WHO acceptable Limits. The average hardness found Ifeanyi V.O, Obiekezie S.O., Udebuani A.C and Abara P.N was 1.25mg/L. Otamiri River had the highest value at (2006): Quality Evaluation of Sachet Water Sold in Port 7.20mg/L followed by Prime Mego Sachet Water with Harcourt, Nigeria. International Journal of Natural and 3.70mg/L. The lowest values recorded were from Njaba River Applied Sciences 2(4): 332-335. at Awo-Omamma and the two Boreholes from Owerri. Jackson, M. H (1990): Environmental Health Reference

Turbidity: Tchobanoglous (1979) decribed Turbidity as the Book, Butterworth – Heinemann, London 9/8-9/22 interference of light passage through water as a result of HACH (1984): Water Analysis Handbook, HACH Company, particles, dust, soil, organics, microorganisms and other USA materials which impede passage of light through water by Cheesebrough, M. (2004): Medical Laboratory Manual for scattering and absorbing the rays. There was a high average Tropical Countries (Volume II), Microbiology (Low turbidity in Owerri zone (152.8 NTU), and a very low average I Price Edition). Butterworth and Heinemann Ltd., Jordan Okigwe zone (0.86 NTU). This low level in Okigwe zone could Hill 200-206 be due to the preponderance of Springwater sources in the Khalequzzaman, M. (2000): can Rainwater Harvesting be a zone. solution to Drinking Water Problem in Bangladesh? Short Note 4, Expatiate Bangladesh 2000. Total Chloride: Substantial amounts of Chloride in water www.Eb2000.org/shortnote4.htm. normally impacts salty taste. In natural waters chlorides can National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) (1997): Training occur as a result of leaching of chloride-containing rocks in Guidelines for Water Quality Testing and Control, rain (Jackson, 1990; Coombes, 2003). The WHO Standard for Outreach Department, Mando Road, Kaduna 8-62 total chloride level is zero. The samples collected contained an Obiekezie S.O, Abara P.N, Okereke J.N., and Ifeanyi V.I average of 467.47mg/L. The highest chloride levels found were (2006): Physico-chemical and Bacteriological from Okigwe zone, and the lowest values were from Owerri Evaluation of Underground Water in Enugu Metropolis, zone. The high chloride levels could be as a result of the Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Natural geological formations (soil nature) and the hilly and rocky and Applied Sciences 2(3):240-245 topography characteristic of Okigwe zone. Okereke J.N (2009): Qualitative Studies of water from

Sulphates: Sulphates are often present in natural waters as Different Sources and the Distribution of Water related Calcium Sulphate. Humans can tolerate high concentrations of Diseases in Imo State, Nigeria Unpublished Ph.D. sulphate in drinking water. With the exception of Timotex Thesis, Federal University of Technology (FUTO), sachet water (Orlu) and Paddies Sachet water (Okigwe), all the Owerri, 256 pages. water samples analysed fell within the WHO permissible limit Okereke, J. N., Obasi, K.O Obiekezie, S.O. and Okechukwu, of 400mg/L. Sulphates are corrosive to concretes, and in R. I (2006): Bacterial Quality of Rainwater in Selected sewage, it is the precursor of a majorcorrosion problem Communities in Imo State, Nigeria; Estud Biologie (Okereke, 2009). In such cases, possible remedies could 28(63): 51 -59. include the use of plastic pipes or epoxy linings inside concrete Osunwa, Chidinma O. (2011): Water Utilization and its (Jackson, 1990). Earlier studies on Sulphate levels revealed Health Implications in Riverine Areas, Imo State values similar to what was obtained in this study. Ana et al Unpublished PhD Thesis, Imo State University, Owerri. (2004), Coombes et al (2003) and Khalequzzaman (2000) Imo State, 335 pages. recorded low values of sulphate in underground water. The Tchobanoglous, G. (1979): Wastewater Engineering: values of sulphate in sachet water by Ifeanyi et al (2006) and Treatment, Disposal and Re – use; McGraw-Hill Okereke (2009) were similar to results obtained in this study. Company, New Delhi 102 -109. White, A. F., Marjorie, S.S., Davison, V.V., Alex, E. B., Stonestrom, D. A. and Harden, J. W. (2005): Chemical Weathering Rates of a soil Chronosequence on Granites Alluvium 111 Hydrochemical Evolution and

36228 | P a g e International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 10, Issue, 12(A), pp. 36225-36229, December, 2019

Contemporary Solute Fluxes and Rates Geochimical et Chikwendu B. (2008): The Microbiological and Physico- Cosmochimical Acta 69(8):1975–1996. chemical Qualities of Otamiri River in the Dry Season. Bozkurtoglu, E., Vardar, M. Suner, F. and Zambak, C. Book of Abstracts, Nigeria Society for Microbiology, (2006): A New Numerical Approach to Weathering and 32nd Annual Conference, ABSU (13th-17th October, Atteration in Rock, using a Pilot Area in the Tuzla 2008) 11 Geothermal Area, Turkey; Engineering Geodogy 87 (1- 2): 33 -47

How to cite this article:

Iwuala, C. C et al 2019., Physiochemical Assessment of Drinking Water Sources In Imo State. Int J Recent Sci Res. 10(12), pp. 3 6225-36229. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2019.1012.4883

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