ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE WATER POLLUTION IN AND AROUND MPAPE DUMPSITE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

In order to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, as a set target for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), there is every need to manage and monitor the sources and availability of water resources. One of those strategies is to investigate the level of water pollution and proffer management strategies. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the water quality of surface water in Mpape dumpsite and its environs. Methodology: A total of 15 water samples were analysed for 27 parameters during the rainy seasons in 2019. The data was then compared with the World Health Organization standard. Findings: Temporal analyses revealed that all the water samples collected at three different times across the five different sampling points exhibited low variation in their quality, except Cd in sample 1, pH in sample 3, Cd and Cn in control sample 1 and 2 respectively have high variations, while DO and Fe in sample 2, Hg and Fe in control sample 1 and 2 respectively, varied moderately. Biological analysis shows that all the water samples used for the study have feacals, such as Salmonella, Shigella, and E-coli. Spatial analysis result showed that there was high variation between the sampling points though statistically the variation was not significant. Statistically, there was significance difference in pollution level between the dumpsite and the control samples at α=0.05. About 40% of the analysed parameters were above the WHO standard, and 46.7% is within the limit, while 13.3% their permissible limits were not mentioned. Recommendation: It was therefore recommended that the water be treated before use and the public should be sensitized on the need to always purify their water before consumption. The authority concern should embark on regular monitoring and treatment of the polluted water in order to achieve goal 6 of the SDG.