ESTIMATION OF WATER QUALITY INDEX OF HAND DUG WELLS WATER SAMPLES IN PART OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Water Quality Index (WQI) was estimated using physicochemical, heavy metal and microbiological parameters of groundwater samples collected from hand dug wells (HDW) in Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Groundwater samples were collected from 15 hand dug wells during the 2023 wet season in order to determine the water quality indices in the study area by comparing with APHA (2017) Rating for WQI and Status of Water. Nine (9) parameters were utilized in calculating WQI for the study area. Each parameter was assigned a given weight (W1) based on the perceived health effect of the importance of the parameter on the overall water quality for drinking purposes. Results obtained, revealed an overall WQI of 118.16mg/l for HDW during wet season denoting poor groundwater quality and are unsuitable for drinking with possible usage being irrigation.  The analysed water samples of hand dug wells were plotted within Na⁺ - Ka – cl^- - SO₄^-2. The hydrogeochemical facies of the groundwater may be related to Cl – Na dominant water type, this indicates end-point down gradient waters through dissolution.