Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality in and Around Benue State Brewery Limited (BBL) in Makurdi Town, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water quality displays physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. The quality of surface and ground water is currently an important concern with population growth and industrialization. Over utilization of water resources due to demand is causing the deterioration of surface and ground water. Periodic water quality testing must be carried out to protect our water resources. The study assessed the concentration levels of physicochemical and bacteriological pollutants in surface water and ground water in and around BBL Makurdi. The Study selected five surface (streams) and five ground water (hand-dug wells) sources around BBL Makurdi and labeled S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 respectively and obtained water samples for laboratory analysis. Samples are examined for the following heavy metal pollutants - cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn). The results were compared with WHOs standards for drinking water. Descriptive statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were employed in data analysis. The results indicate that the mean concentration of Cd, Pb, Cr and Mn for surface water were 0.0110, 1.6145, 0.05182 and 0.24312; while groundwater were 0.01318, 1.6713, 0.04278 and 0.2418. The result further shows that the standard deviation surface water were 0.0056, 1.0579, 0.0295 and 0.1088 with their corresponding standard deviation of 50.91%, 65.525, 56.928 and 45.108. while those of ground water were 0.00517 (39.226%), 0.8580 (51.337%), 0.1837(429.406) and 0.19065 (77.943%) The study found that the surface and ground water sources are heavily contaminated with heavy metals with Lead and manganese exceeding WHOs, tolerant limit of 0.1mg/l-1 in all the sample points. The study therefore recommends proper treatment of water from all sources in the study area before consumption.