Aims: To determine the level of some chemical parameters in samples of 5 potable water
sources namely, tap, borehole, open well, sachet water, and bottled water. To further
compare results with WHO (2011) standards to ascertain safety of water sources within the
study area.
Study Design: Collection and analysis of samples from potable water sources.
Place and Duration of Study: 16 settlements within the Abuja Municipal Area Council
(AMAC) constitute the study area. Sample collection took place during the dry season
months of January – March 2011 to avoid the possibility of contamination of some water
sources from runoff.
Methodology: Stratified random sampling technique was adopted for sample collection
from 16 settlements; one each from four identified categories of settlement within the study
area. For data analysis, mean, standard deviation and minimum and maximum values were
computed for every chemical parameter for each sampling location.
Results: The results reveal that pH, NO3, Cu, Al, TOT-N and Fe are not limiting factors to
the quality of drinking water in the study area; the levels of Cd, Bicarbonate, NH4-N, Mn,
Zn, As, Cr and Pb concentration in water samples are above the safety limit set by the
WHO (2011); pH, SO4, NO3
-, TOT-P and HCO3
-, Cl in open well samples have slightly
higher values than in samples of the other four sources of potable water. Borehole and
sachet water samples have slightly higher SO4 values; bottled and tap water samples have the highest values of HCO3
-, among others. Increasing anthropogenic activities that result
in pollution are attributed to these levels of water contamination at the study area. Conclusion: There is need for Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC) to focus on promoting the safety of potable water, most especially
the sachet and bottle water sources; periodic, unannounced inspections should be
conducted on facilities producing sachet and bottled water to ensure that standards are
highly maintained. Lastly, efficient management of water resources in Nigeria’s urban and
peri-urban centers is increasingly becoming necessary if the health and well-being of the
residents is of utmost importance.