Quality Evaluation Of Nworie River Owerri For Potential Uses

QUALITY EVALUATION OF NWORIE RIVER OWERRI FOR POTENTIAL USES

ABSTRACT

Since water quality is in most cases determined by its source. Quality of water is also critical to its usage. In view of the above, samples of water were collected from Nworie river, Imo state and subjected to chemical, biological and physical analysis. The result from the laboratory indicates DO = 3.0, PH = 6.05, Temperature ⁰C = 25.9, Total hardness 22.00, TS = 75.50, chloride = 20.5, Nitrite = 1.76, sulfide = <0.3, silica = 3.5, Ammonia-Nitrogen = 0.4, Proteus sp and Klebsiella sp in high concentration, Vibro cholerae, Citobacter sp in moderate concentration, Shigella sp and Salmonella sp in low concentrationand Chromobacteria sp absent. From the findings, some properties were below WHO standard. The river may be use for irrigation and not for cooking unless it is well treated and purify for human consumption.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                        i

Approval page                                                                 ii

Dedication                                                                       iii

Acknowledgement                                                           iv

Abstract                                                                          v

Table of contents                                                            vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION                                                   1

1.1      Background of the Study                                       1

1.2      Objectives of the Study                                          2

1.3      Justification of the Study                                       3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW                                                 4

2.1      Description of Nworie River                                    4

2.2      Potential Uses of Water                                          4

2.3      Properties of Water                                                 12

2.4      Characteristics of Water                                         14

2.5      Hardness of Water                                                  16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0  MATERIALS AND METHOD                             22

3.1      Test for Chemicals Properties                                 22

3.2      Test For Biological Properties                                 23

3.3      Test For Physical Properties                                   23

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0  RESULTS                                                      25

4.2      Discussion                                                              27

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0  RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION          33

5.1      Recommendation                                                    33

5.2      Conclusion                                                              34

References                                                              35

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.4     Background of the Study

Nworie River, a river that flows through Owerri, the capital of Imo state in south-eastern Nigeria and its environs, is among the surface water bodies threaten by human activities.

It lies between latitude 5⁰28N and 5⁰31N. The river flows in the city through federal medial center (FMC), Alvanikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) and Holy Ghost college all in Owerri, and empties into another river, called the Otamiri River.

There is no doubt that the river is vulnerable to a variety of waste discharged from all these institutions and it’s environs. Nworie River also receives large quantities of pollutants from human activities such as laundering, bathing etc. Runoffs also carry solid wastes such as plastics, polythene, pure water sachets, agrochemicals from farm lands surrounding the river, etc. into water body during rainfall.

1.5     Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the chemical, Biological and physical properties of Nworie River.

Specifically, the objectives of this study are

a.          The collection of water samples from different locations in the river

b.          Taking of the samples for testing in the laboratory

c.           To analyze the properties, and uses it could be subjected to and to compare it with WHO standard.

1.6     Justification of the Study

Further, the study demonstrated significant longitudinal variations in the water quality properties along the courses of the river, reflecting differences in quality and quantity of pollutants at various location.

It further justifies the fact that the real identity of pollutant are from human activities.