Assessment of borehole water quality of Abia State University Uturu

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is essential for human health and well-being, yet concerns about borehole water quality persist, particularly in university environments where water demand is high. This study assessed the borehole water quality across three campuses of Abia State University: Uturu, Aba, and Umuahia. Physico-chemical parameters analyzed included pH, temperature, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total hardness, and sulphate levels.Results revealed that pH values ranged from 6.2 to 7.5, with boreholes in the Aba campus exhibiting slightly acidic levels, deviating from WHO’s recommended range of 6.5–8.5. Dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 4.2 mg/L to 6.8 mg/L, with lower values recorded in Umuahia, indicating possible pollution. TDS values exceeded the WHO permissible limit of 500 mg/L in the Aba campus, averaging 620 mg/L, suggesting contamination from industrial and domestic sources. The Water Quality Index (WQI) classified the Uturu campus borehole as "Good," Umuahia as "Poor," and Aba as "Very Poor", indicating variations in groundwater contamination across the study locations. The findings highlight the need for regular water quality monitoring, improved sanitation measures, and treatment interventions to ensure safe drinking water for students and staff. The study recommends the installation of filtration systems and awareness programs on borehole maintenance to mitigate contamination risks.