Biological and physiochemical properties of shallow wells in Ikorodu town, Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the biological, physical and chemical quality of shallow wells in Ikorodu, Lagos state. Purposive random sampling method was employed for the collection of samples during the wet season in September, 2010 from Majidun, Ogolonto and Agric communities. A total of 24 samples, with 8 from each community, were collected and analyzed for taste, odour, colour, temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, total hardness, total alkalinity, total acidity, chloride and nitrate, calcium, magnesium and total coliform count. The physiochemical parameters analyzed fell within the NAFDAC, SON maximum allowable limit and WHO desirable and maximum permissible limit for potable water. However, magnesium, total hardness and nitrate were higher than WHO desirable standards in most of the locations. The mostly affected were the shallow wells in Ogolonto community. The relationship between total bacterial count and total acidity was significant at the 0.05 level at Ogolonto community. The relationship between total bacterial count and conductivity, TDS and chloride was significant at the 0.05 levels, while nitrate is significant at the 0.01 level at Agric community. The implication of this result is that the shallow wells in most locations were polluted and could result in adverse health hazard   Key words: Water quality, shallow well, standard guidelines, total coliform count.