Investigation of Physiochemical Properties of Groundwater at Estako-West, Edo-North, Nigeria

Abstract

The physicochemical parameters of groundwater at Auchi and South-Ibie were investigated to determine underground water quality in this environment. Water sampled locations in Auchi were categorized as Iyekhei (Iyekhei), Auchi Poly Water (Auchi PW), Auchi Poly Hostel (Auchi PH), Double Delight Hostel (DDH); South-Ibie locations are Levis Gas Plant (LGP), Pastoral Centre (PC), Global Castle Hostel Sawmill Road (GCHS), Arsenal Hostel and, Lagos Street (AHLS). A total number of 80 water samples from eight locations were collected and analyzed using some statistical metrics to determine the relationship among measured parameters. The pH of water samples ranged from 1.4 at GCHS to 4.12 at AHLS. The result indicated that all the investigated water samples have low pH values with a high alkalinity level. Total dissolved solids (TDS) of 300mg/L, 400mg/L, and 500mg/L were obtained from the water samples at Iyekhei, Auchi PH, and DDH. These values are within the allowable World Health Organization (WHO) standard. However, the chloride level for all locations was very high except for Iyekhei, with a value of 115 mg/L, which is accepted within the WHO requirement of 250 mg/L. Conductivity values of four sampled water locations; namely, Auchi PH, DDH, PC, and GCHS, are within the allowable limit. High conductivity values of 304 sm/cm, 116.7sm/cm, and 845 sm/cm were obtained for LGP, Auchi PW, Iyekhei, respectively. All the water sampled locations' results indicated that none of the sampled water is within the WHO required standard of 20oC to 23oC. The statistical metrics showed a strong relationship between the conductivity and chloride concentration with R2=0.7174; this may be related to some dissolved conductive ions in the water sampleThe research study's output is imperative to understand the relationship between different groundwater parameters to develop and good groundwater quality.