EFFECT OF ON-SITE SANITATION SYSTEMS ON WATER FROM SHALLOW WELLS-A CASE STUDY OF KADUNA METROPOLIS

Abstract

In this work, the effect of on-site sanitation systems on water from shallow wells is considered with particular emphasis on Kaduna metropolis, a town in the northern part of Nigeria, West Africa with the aim of determining the quality of underground water in Kaduna in relation to acceptable standards. The specific objectives were: Source on water quality, to determine the concentration of contaminants in shallow wells consumption, to articulate the implications of the findings in well sitting with respect to closeness of sanitary facilities, a total of 15 shallow wells within the metropolis were investigated for physio chemical, iron, pH, temperature and electrical conductivity. Bacteriological analysis was also carried out. The result of the turbidity test carried out on the watersample shows that 5 out of the 15 wells representing 33.33% were within the desirable limit of the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water while 66.67% were within the permissible limit of 25NTU as recommended by the WHO, the result of iron concentration content of the samples were found within the desirable level of the WHO, the result of calcium content ranges from 55mg/1-145mg/1, which is within the desirable level as well as maximum permissible level. The WHO recommended a maximum level of 200mg/1. the result of E coli also indicated a strong, negative correlation between the distance from source of contamination and source of water supply, r = -0.84., n = 15, p < .0005, There was a weak, positive correlation between the depth of underground water and coliform, r = 0.22, n = 15, p < .0005, The significant of the relationship was 0.00 and 0.22 respectively. The work concluded that under ground water from the sampled locations required mild chemical treatment to meet the standard for human consumption. It is recommended that a minimum distance of 10.0m should be allowed as the distance between the septic systems and the well.