QUALITY AND STORAGE STABILITY ASSESSMENT OF BOREHOLE AND HAND-DUG WELL WATERS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI, NIGERIA AND ENVIRONS

Public water supply is gradually becoming extinct among the several communities in Nigeria. Each householder is responsible for the production of potable water for his household via the exploitation of the only viable groundwater option. In this study, the physico-chemical properties of shallow well and borehole waters in Ikole Ekiti and Oye Ekiti Local Government Areas were assessed. Samples were collected from twelve sampling points-three each from deep and shallow wells respectively, stored at 40C for three weeks and analyzed according to standard procedures. Parameters investigated include lead (Pb), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, Ca, total bacterial and total coliform counts. Most of the parameters were within the recommended standards ensured by regulating authorities except in the case for Pb for the two locations. Total Bacteria Count (TBC) and Total coliform count (TCC) were detected in both locations implying some levels of pollution. There were slight increases in the values of most parameters for Oye-Ekiti, relative to Ikole-Ekiti, suggesting that Oye Ekiti tends to have more pollution than Ikole Ekiti. There is therefore the need to sensitize the residents of these localities about the need to take their hygiene more seriously and consciously embrace practices that will protect their groundwater sources.