Evaluation of groundwater quality in a rural community in North Central of Nigeria.

Evaluation of water quality of nine boreholes and three open hand-dug wells in a rural community in North Central Nigeria revealed relative abundance of cations Na > k > Ca > Mg > Zn > Pb and anions Cl(-) > PO4(2-) > SO4(2-) > NO3(-) in the boreholes and cations Ca > Na > K > Mg > Pb and anions NO3(-)  > PO4(2-)  > SO4(2-) > Cl(-) in the wells. The major contaminants exceeding SON and WHO permissible limits were NO3(-) , Mg, TH, pH and Mg, Pb, TH, pH and DO in the wells and boreholes, respectively. They are attributable to anthropogenic sources such as domestic waste water and poor waste disposal and natural sources such as mineral dissolution from clayey aquifer which made the acidic groundwater unsuitable for consumption unless they are appropriately treated. Correlation studies revealed existence of three major mineral groups in the aquifer Ca-Fe group, Na-Mg group, Zn-K group, as well as a minor group Pb-group, and they determine the chemical composition of the groundwater and the ionic exchange between the groundwater and mineral-bearing clayey aquifer. In order to curb microbial contamination by Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli, it is recommended that proper latrines and drainages be provided while domesticated animals should be restricted from boreholes and well. Further, treatment with water guard and pur purifier is recommended.