Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Borehole Water Samples in Dutsin Ma, Dutsin Ma L.G.A., Katsina State, Nigeria

Okache, T. A., Adebayo, Q and Sani, M. M

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the physicochemical and microbiological properties of borehole water in Dutsin Ma Local Government Area in Katsina State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from boreholes in four zones which include; FUDMA, Yan Daka Palace, Wednesday market and Sokoto Rima all within the community. Some physicochemical and microbiological properties were assessed using standard analytical methods. The mean pH, Total Dissolved Solids and Turbidity for all the samples were within the range of 6.965 - 7.205, 44.0 - 65.5 mg/L and 1.370-3.655 NTU respectively. The mean total hardness, magnesium, calcium, chloride and salinity, for all samples were ranged between 17.955 - 31.750, 5.90 - 8.745, 9.765 - 23.005, 5.10 - 11.35 and 8.415 - 18.700 mg/L respectively. The mean chromium, lead, manganese and nickel in mg/L ranged from 0.0 - 0.005, 0.0 - 0.01, 0.0 - 0.01 and 0.0 - 0.01 respectively, however, arsenic and cadmium were not detected in all the water samples. Microbiological quality assessment showed that all the water samples had no feacal bacteria (0.0 cfu /mL) and their most probable number value was 2 MPN /100 mL. Therefore, the results for physical, chemical and microbiological analysis revealed that all the water samples examined were satisfactory as they were within the permissible WHO, SON, NAFDAC and NESREA standards for drinking water. However, there is need to examine the performance of these waters during storage to determine their shelf life.