Hydrogeochemical and Microbial Investigation of Groundwater Quality, A Case Study of Aviele, Edo State

Abstract

Water quality of both surface water and groundwater indicates its usage and consumption, they are usually prone to pollution, which alter the physico-chemical and biological properties. This study investigates the hydrogeochemical and microbial properties of groundwater, the study area falls into the Anambra Basin of Nigeria, within latitude N 7°00ꞌ to N 7°05ꞌ and longitude E 6°10ꞌ to E 6°15ꞌ, and can be access by the Benin - Auchi expressway. This was done by collection of seven water samples from wells for insitu and laboratory analysis. The study indicates that the groundwater is slightly acidic in nature with an average value of 6.27, indicating slightly acidity and lies below permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The total dissolved solid (TDS) of 93.84mg/l average value indicates fresh water in the area. The anions and cations of the groundwater in the study area, falls within the permissible limit of the WHO and NSDWQ, with high iron and cadmium and chromium present in some location. This is probably due to the water bearing formation and the slightly acidic nature of the groundwater in the area, and the water type is Calcium – Chloride (Ca-Cl), with no presence of micro-organisms. Hence, there is need for water treatment plant to be installed in the area and proper waste disposal.