Comparative Analysis Of Surface Water Quality In Owerri (A Case Study Of Otammiri And Nworie River)

ABSTRACT

The study which focused on “Comparasive Analysis of Surface Water Quality in Owerri (A Case Study of Otammiri and Nworie River) indicates that the industrial effluent an indiscriminate disposal of municipal wastes are the source of surface water pollution in Nigeria. It is in this view of these short comments that comparasive analysis in the difference and in the variation of the quality of these rivers in Imo State to help understand the present condition of the quality of the rivers (Otammiri and Nworie River). The health risk that are imminent from using them and other possible danger faced by the aquatic environment. The objective are to determine the types and  concentrations of pollutants/contaminants  present in major surface water in Otammiri  and Nworie River, compare the water quantity of the selected  surface water resources in the study areas with WHO standard  with a view to determine their portability. Hence the method used in achieving these objectives is the simple random sampling  to know the  variations in physical characteristics, chemical characteristics and bacteriological characteristics which is compared with the WHO standard. The results compared with the WHO standard within the maximum acceptable limits shows that some physical andmicro-biological constituents were found to exceed the required standard set in all the water samples. In general the quality of level of Otammiri and Nworie River on a seasonal base (dry and rainy season) is not safe for human consumption and can considerably affect aquatic lives in the long run.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of Study

Water is a finite resource that very essential for the human existence, agriculture, industry etc .without any doubt; inadequate quantity and quality of water have serious impact on sustainable development. In developing countries most of which have huge debt burdens, population explosion and moderate to rapid urbanization, people have little or no option but to accept water source of doubtful quality, due to lack of better  alternative sources or due to economic and technological contrite to treat available water adequately before use(Calamari and Naeve, 1994; Aina and Adedipe, 1996). The scarcity of clean water and population of fresh water has therefore led to a situation in which one fifth of the urban dwellers in developing countries and three quarters of their dwelling population do not have access to a reasonably safe water supply (Lloyd and Hemer, 1992).

Assessment of water is not only for suitability for human consumption but also in relation to its agricultural, industrial, recreational, and commercial, uses and its ability to sustain aquatic life. Water quality monitoring is therefore fundamental tools in the management of fresh water resources

To underpin its importance, World Health Organization (W.H.O)

United Nations Environment Program(UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) and world Meteorological Organization (WMO) lunched in 1977, a water monitoring program to collect detailed information on the quality of global ground and surface water.

Imo state is drained principally by a number of rivers, The Imo river, called Imo Mmiri   in the Igbo language is in southeastern and flows 240 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean. Its estuary is around 40 kilometers wide and the river has an annual discharge of 4 cubic kilometers with 26000 hectares of wet land. The Imo Rivers has tributaries which are the Otamiri and Nworie rivers. The river was cleared under the colonial British government in 1907, 1908 and 1911, first to Aba and then to Udo near Umahia.

• Statement of the Problem

Studies carried out in previous years in most cities in Nigeria have shown that industrial effluent and indiscriminate disposal of municipal wastes are the main source of surface water pollution in Nigeria.

Industrial effluents when discharged directly into the rivers without prior treatment have the capacity of increasing water quality parameters. The study will take into account the various variations in the water quality of some rivers in Imo state, on short temporary basis.

• Aim and Objectives

The essence of research work is to investigate of new selected rivers in Imo state for a short period of time.

The objectives are as follows:

1. To determine the types and concentrations of pollutants/contaminants present in major surface water in Otammiri and Nworie river.
2. To compare the water quantity of the selected surface water resources in the study areas with WHO standard with a view to determine their portability.

• Significance of the Study

This study will help us make clear comparison in the difference and in the variation of the quality of those rivers in Imo state hence enable us to understand the present condition of the quality of these rivers, the health risk that are imminent from using them and other possible danger faced by the aquatic environment.

• Scope of the Study

The study will help us to compare the physical, chemical, bacteriogical properties of Otamiri and Nworie rivers in Imo state within a period of 3 to 4 months. It will take into account the variations in the physical properties such as temperature, color, taste and odour, turbidity, presence of solid etc. the chemical properties which include the ph, hardness level of dissolved oxygen and oxygen demand , presence of nitrates, sulphates, chloride, iron as well as the biological and bacteriological properties of the waste.

Pages:  45

Category: Project

Format:  Word & PDF               

Chapters: 1-5                                          

Source: Imsuinfo                                     

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.