Physicochemical Evaluation of the Effects of Total Suspended Solids, Total Dissolved Solids and Total Hardness Concentrations on the Water Samples in Nsukka Town

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The problem of environmental pollution due to toxic metals has begun to cause concern now in most major metropolitan cities. Nsukka environs have been plagued with perennial problem of water supplies round the year and a better understanding of its water physicochemically status will help to address this daunting problem and issues of human health. The analysis carried out was on the utility water supplies in Nsukka area. Thirteen sampling areas consisting of four boreholes, six dugwells and three springs were chosen for this research work. A total of 26 water samples were taken from the sampling areas during the dry season and another 26 samples during the wet season. Water samples were collected from these sampling areas and refrigerated at 4 0 C for processing. Harch Model C50 digital multirange meter was used to measure total dissolved solid. Complexiometric titration was employed in the determination of total hardness of water samples. Bacteriological analysis of the water samples were carried out to ascertain whether there was faecal contamination by the use of multiple tube/most probable number techniques. It was observed that total suspended solid concentration of water samples from dugwell sources was found to have significant increase (p<0.05) when compared with the water samples from the samples obtained from borehole and spring sources during both dry and rainy seasons. Total dissolved solid concentration was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in the water sample from dugwell sources when compared with the total dissolved solid concentration in the water samples from both borehole and spring sources during both dry and rainy seasons. Water sample from dugwell sources had showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of total hardness as compared with water samples from borehole and spring sources during dry and rainy seasons. Also, there was significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of total hardness of water sample from borehole sources when compared with the spring sources during dry and rainy seasons. Therefore, from the foregoing, it could be concluded that these boreholes, springs and dugwells water tested in Nsukka town are physicochemically good for human consumption as all the physicochemical parameters tested conformed to WHO, SON and NAFDAC water quality standards except Iyi-adoro spring water which might not be very good for consumption during rainy season because of possible bacteria contamination