COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TAP WATER COLLECTED IN SOME SELECTED AREAS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS
ABSTRACT
This study is consisted of the determination of some selected physiochemical properties in drinking water (Tap water) in Enugu metropolis, where drinking water source are from the Ajali treated river water. The purpose was to ascertain the quality of water from these sources. Samples were taken from, GRA, Trans Ekulu, Asata and New Haven Taps and analyzed for the following parameters; Cl, TDS, TS, EC, pH, Zn, As, Pb, Fe, Cd odour and appearance. The data showed the variation of the investigated parameters in samples as follows; pH 5.60 – 5.82, Electrical conductivity (EC) Oµscm-1 – 30µscm-1, chloride (Cl) 12mgl-1 – 13mgl-1, Total Dissolved solids (TDS). 0.01mgl-1 – 0.1mgl-1 Total solids (TS) 1.15 – 4.09mgl-1, Zinc (Zn+) 0.69 – 2.57ppm, Arsenic (As) 0.0.4 – 0.19ppm Cadium (Cd) 0.04 to o.30ppm, Lead (Pb) 0.03 – 0.07ppm. And Iron (Fe) 0.05 – 0.38ppm. The concentrations of all the investigated parameters in the source of tap water samples from Enugu metropolis were within the permissible limits of the world Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The availability of tap has major public health benefits, since it typically vastly reduces the risk to the public contacting water borne diseases. Providing tap water to large urban or suburban populations requires a complex and carefully designed system of collection storage treatment and distribution and is commonly the responsibility of a government agency, often the same agency responsible for the removal and treatment of water (Chartres, 2010).
Specific chemical compounds are often added to tap water during the treatment process to adjust the pH or remove contaminants, as well as chlorine to kill biological toxins. Local geological conditions affecting ground water are determining factors for the presence of various metal ions often rendering the water soft or hard. Tap water remains susceptible to biological or chemical contamination in the event of contamination deemed dangerous to public health; government officials typically issue an advisory regarding water consumption.