Study on Groundwater Quality of Shallow Aquifers and Implications for Human Health in Parts of Etche, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the groundwater quality and its health implications in selected parts of Etche Local Government Area in Rivers state. A total of thirty water samples were collected from shallow boreholes and taken to the laboratory for relevant physicochemical analysis in accordance with the American Public Health Association methods. The result of the analysis was augmented with secondary data obtained from previous relevant works. Sulphide and nitrate showed low values ranging from (3.01 - 8.99mg/l and 0.26 mg/l - 7.8mg/l) respectively. The TSS value ranged from 1 - 120mg/l. Mean temperature and pH of the water ranged from (23.75⁰C - 26.05⁰C and 4.3-7.7) respectively. Mean conductivity and Total Hardness ranged from (19.0µS/cm -120µS/cm and 5mg/l - 61mg/l) respectively. The mean concentration of sodium and chloride ranged from (3.84mg/l - 14.53mg/l and 4.5mg/l - 25mg/l) respectively. Results for heavy metals show the cadmium and lead level ranging from (0.015-0.065mg/l and 0.005mg/l - 0.075mg/l) respectively. The concentration of zinc ranged from 0.015mg/l to 0.045 mg/l. Results of the analysis indicates that most of the physicochemical parameters analyzed compare favourably with the Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality and World Health Organization except for cadmium, potassium, iron and lead whose concentration in some locations exceed their respective recommended maximum permissible limits. The pH in the study area indicates that the water is acidic to slightly alkaline. One-way ANOVA statistical analysis revealed that temperature, pH, conductivity, suspended solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, nitrate, copper, zinc, and iron, all showed significant variation in their concentration among the communities under study. However, there was no significant variation in the concentration of potassium, sulphate, cadmium, and lead among sampled communities.