ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF CAMEROUN ZINC, STONE-COATED TILES, ASBESTOS, CORRUGATED IRON ROOFS AND GALVANIZED IRON TANK ON HARVESTED RAINWATER IN SOUTH-SOUTH, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA USING WATER QUALITY INDEX

Harvested rainwater has shown lots of benefits in the universe including providing water in remote areas for their approximately safe usage and it also supports the global water demands due to inadequate amount of water supply for utilization. This present study was aimed at analyzing the impact of various roofing materials, galvanized iron tank and industrial activity on rainwater quality by determining the physicochemical characteristics, bacteriological properties and the metal composition of the roof types and storage medium. Rainwater was harvested from Cameroun zinc, stone-coated tiles, asbestos, corrugated iron roofs run-offs, and stored rainwater in galvanized iron tank and directly from the sky (control) in the urban and rural areas of Rivers State between the months of April-July, 2018. The results will be compared with the standards (NAFDAC, USEPA, WHO and NSDWQ) for drinking water quality and Water Quality Index (WQI) ratings since there is no standard for rainwater quality. Roofs ages from <5, 5-10, 15-20, and >25 years in service conditions and stored rainwater in storage vessels for the duration of one year and above were considered. Heavy metals were analyzed using Flame-AAS; other parameters were analyzed using standard methods. The WQI ratings were calculated using the weighted arithmetic method. Results obtained in both areas gave mean values ranging from 6.10-6.90 for pH, Temp., (20.00-28.00 oC), EC (17.00-132.00 µ?/cm), E. coli (no detection). Other results (mg/L) were; TDS (15.50-71.67), TSS (19.00- 84.67), Pb (0.00-0.23), Cr (0.00-0.12), Zn (0.01-0.03), Fe (0.01-0.22) and Al (0.00-1.61).The WQI ratings gave excellent water to unfit for drinking water quality in both areas. Generally, harvested rainwater is not free of contaminations because of its catchment/storage systems due to atmospheric pollution and leaching of the roofing material; hence, it should be treated before being used for domestic and potable usages.