Borehole Water Quality Characteristics and Its Potability in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria

Human access to quality water is a prerequisite to a healthy living. Thus, a study aimed at assessing the spatial quality of borehole water in 16 different locations in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The borehole water samples were subjected to physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses. The parameters analysed include pH, temperature, Electrical conductivity, Phosphate, Nitrate, Sulphate, Total Hardness, coliform and faecal coliforms. The results showed that the physico-chemical parameters were within the WHO limit, except for temperature and pH values which were above the WHO limits. Also, the bacteriological analyses showed that coliforms were present in 11 boreholes up to levels of 3 to 93 MPN/100 ml while only 5 boreholes showed zero coliform count while correlation analysis generally showed that most of the parameters are independent of one another. Bacteriological analysis results indicated that water from these sources may pose threat to human health by WHO standard if consumed. Hence, simple water treatment method such as boiling, regular disinfection and regular cleaning of borehole water storage tank as well as general education on proper disposal of sewage and location of boreholes are recommended. Further investigation on the quality analysis of borehole water in Iwo is required to ensure adequate monitoring of the quality parameters in the boreholes.