Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Assessment of Drinking Water from Hand-Dug Wells

Abstract

This study was carried out to ascertain the physico-chemical properties of lead (Pb) as the most toxic element parameter and bacteriological contamination of drinking water from hand-dug wells in Yala Cross River State and Mkar Benue State. A total number of ten different well water samples, well 1 to well 10, were randomly collected in an ideal condition, five samples from each state, and analyzed using standard sensory, physico-chemical, and bacterial group and colony techniques. Sensory attributes which include the sample Odor and Taste of the sample were done using the human senses. The group was analyzed using Gram stain techniques where both positive and negative were present in each sample of 1 ml, and colonies were counted using a colony counter: well 1 (260), well 2 (240), well 3 (404), well 5 (1200), well 6 (480), well 7 (528), well 8 (388), well 9 (220), and well 10 (228). Samples had a total plate count far more than the WHO standard, which is 100 colonies for 1 ml. The physico-chemical parameters were within, above, and below the WHO standard. Tests for the undesirable/toxic life-threatening substance, particularly lead (Pb), show results above the range recommended by NIS/WHO. From the analysis on all the water samples, results read within the WHO standard except for two samples (well 4 and well 5) in Yala Cross River and three (well 6, 7, and 8) in Mkar Benue State, which show clear appearance, indicating that other factors such as well size and building, soil nature, manner of collection, and flow of water path of other wells need to be put into consideration for better appearance.

Keywords: Water, Sensory, Soil, Physiochemical Properties.