Anthropogenic Activities and Perceived Water Hardness in Selected Riverine Communities of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Wagwu Kelvin Jacob; William Onuegbu; Patrick Youdeowei

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no8.2026.pg43.55

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Anthropogenic Activities and Perceived Water Hardness in Selected Riverine Communities of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Wagwu Kelvin Jacob, William Onuegbu, and Patrick Youdeowei

Abstract

Water hardness is an important water-quality parameter that can affect domestic water use and household activities, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas. This study assessed residents’ perceptions of the impacts of water hardness and anthropogenic activities contributing to hardness in selected riverine communities of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, domestic water use, perceived challenges of hard water, and awareness of human activities affecting water quality was administered to residents in 15 communities along three selected rivers. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, with 20 administered randomly in each community, and 277 were successfully retrieved, giving a 92.33% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. The findings showed that respondents predominantly perceived adverse effects associated with hard water, including difficulty in soap lathering, increased domestic cleaning challenges, staining of household surfaces, increased use of soaps and detergents, and damage to household appliances. Similarly, respondents identified industrial discharges, waste dumping and sewage disposal, sand mining and dredging, and the discharge of detergents and chemicals as important anthropogenic contributors to water hardness. Overall, the findings indicate a strong community perception of a relationship between human activities and water hardness, with significant implications for domestic water use. The study recommends strengthened regulation of industrial effluents, improved waste and sewage management, control of sand mining and dredging, and increased public awareness to protect river-water quality in the Port Harcourt Metropolis.

Keywords

Anthropogenic activities; Water hardness; Riverine communities; Water quality; Domestic water use; Port Harcourt; Nigeria

References

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Anthropogenic Activities and Perceived Water Hardness in Selected Riverine Communities of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

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