Graphic Interpretation And Assessment Of Surface Water Quality Index In Ishiagu, Southeastern Nigeria
Aganigbo, C. I
Department of Geology and Mining, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 01660, Agbani, Nigeria.
Ozoko, D. C
Department of Geology and Mining, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 01660, Agbani, Nigeria.
Keywords: Ishiagu, Surface water, Anthropogenic, Water quality index, Nigeria Drinking Water Quality Standard
Abstract
The improvement in surface water quality in the Ishiagu region was determined by using a modified water quality index. A total of 21 surface water samples were collected from different locations in the study area and analyzed in the laboratory using standard method (APHA, 1995). Cations and anions were dominated in the order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K for cations, and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− >NO3− anions. Ten criteria for measuring the WQI have been considered, such as: pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate and sulphate. The calculated WQI shows that 1 percent of the total surface water samples fall in Good category while 99 percent of the samples are in the excellent category. Under normal conditions these waters are good for drinking purposes, and no further action is required for salinity control. Upon careful examination of the results, it was found that most parameters of water quality were below the required limit recommended by NDWQS, making the water safe for human use.