Groundwater Quality And Related Water Borne Diseases In Dass Town, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Boreholes, private wells, public wells, E-coli, Mai Anguwa, coli form count unit (Cfu)Abstract
This study examined 20 randomly collected water samples, using 75ml sterilized bottles from private and public wells with mean depths of 3.91m and 6.23m respectively, and boreholes/pump bores of 12 to 25m deep in Dass town in December, 2010. Laboratory analysis were carried out at Gubi dam Water Treatment Plant, Bauchi, using standard procedures to determine the concentrations of physical, chemical and biological properties of the samples in line with WHO and SON standards. Results reveal that pH, total dissolved solids (TSD) and Nitrates were within WHO and SON limits, while Manganese, Calcium carbonate (total water hardness) and E-coli concentrations exceeded the safe standards by 600%, 1035% and 274% respectively. E-coli cfu decreased with depth of wells and distance from pit latrines. The excessive concentrations of these parameters seem to be related to the reported cases of water borne diseases in the town at the time of the research. It was recommended among others that governments should take urgent steps to safeguard and protect public sources of potable water supply through her relevant water and health institutions to serve as part of the dividends of democracy to the people.
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