Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 127-135

127

The Potability of Groundwater in Bayelsa State, Central Niger Delta

Nigeria: A Review

Tariwari C.N. Angaye

*, Elijah .I. Ohimain

, Cosboy E. Mieyepa

1- Toxicity Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

2- Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Imo State University, Nigeria.

Received: 19/04/2015 Accepted: 08/06/2015 Published: 30/06/2015

Abstract

Water is an important resource required by all living organisms for growth, and survival. Water meant for drinking is called

potable water. Two basic sources of Potable in the Niger Delta are surface and groundwater. The potability of water is generally

based on their physiochemical, heavy metals and microbial quality. In the Niger delta, the major source of potable water is

groundwater. Therefore this study reviewed the challenges associated with water potability in Bayelsa State, Central Niger Delta,

Nigeria. The study found that besides turbidity, arsenic, total iron and pH; other parameters complied with their respective WHO

and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) permissible limits. Also, the some potable water had indicated microbial counts

beyond WHO and SON permissible limits. Water parameters having values exceeding WHO and SON standards are deem

contaminated. Hence persistent consumption of such water without appropriate remedy, could lead to adverse acute or chronic

health effects. Hence this study concludes that groundwater meant for drinking purposes should constantly monitored prior to

consumption, and treated appropriately.

Key words: Potable water, Contaminant, Niger delta, Bayelsa State, water-borne diseases.

1 Introduction

Water is an essential resource to the life of all living

organisms on earth. As established in literature, about 75%

of the earth is filled with water [1]. But unfortunately

potable water shortage still persists in most developing

countries [2]. Statistical data regarding water scarcity

shows that about 1.0-1.2 billion people in the world lack

access to potable water [3-5]. It was also established that

about 1.2-2.4 billion people lack access to safe drinking

water [6], while in Africa, there are over 300 million people

who lack access to potable water [5, 7]. Furthermore, since

the 1970s several cities in Nigeria have been experiencing

water shortages, they include but not limited to Aba, Port-

Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan etc. [8].

Some compounding factors are responsible for the

inadequacy of potable water: but two major factors include;

rapid urbanization [8, 9], and increasing population,

agricultural and industrial activities [7, 10]. It was further

estimated that the availability of potable water in the Niger

Delta has decreased from 10 L/person/day in 1994 to 5.5

L/person/day in 2000 [8]. Inadequacy of potable water or

poor water quality can result to substantial problems like,

Corresponding Author: Tariwari C.N. Angaye, Toxicity

Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger

Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State,

Nigeria. E-mail: maktarry@yahoo.com; Tel: +234-703-

7889-063.

toxicity, poor agricultural productivity and health problems

such as outbreak of diseases [1, 2, 10].

Some researchers have revealed that water borne

diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera and diarrhoea

are on the rise in the Niger Delta [1, 8]. While diarrhoea

have been reported as the global second leading cause of

under 5 mortality, with an estimated 1.5-1.8 million

mortality per year [1, 2]. Groundwater in the preferred

source of potable water in the Niger delta, due to the fact

that it is less prone to contamination as a result of its

natural filtration [11]. The Niger Delta region is blessed

with large quantity of groundwater from shallow aquifer,

but the region is still challenged by water inadequacy due

to the commercialization of available potable water,

making it unavailable to indigent people. Bayelsa state is

characteristically a wetland, yet there are no functional

central potable water supply systems. Hence, the main

source of water for domestic use remains untreated water,

as well as water from private and commercial boreholes [1,

11].

The Niger Delta has two hydrological regimes, the

inland and coastal area. Both regimes experience poor

water quality which grossly limits their potability [1].

Several authors have reported that the persistent and

indiscriminate disposal of sewage and municipal solid

waste in the region may result to the anthropogenic

pollution of groundwater in the Niger delta [3, 4, 8, 12, 13].

There could be several challenges associated with the

fortuitous consumption of contaminated water, including

toxicity, which could affect body organs [14, 15]

Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com

J. Environ. Treat. Tech.

ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 127-162

128

deleterious taste, odour and colour etc [16], as well as the

outbreak of water borne diseases. This study encompasses

the problems associated with the potability of groundwater

in Bayelsa state, Central Niger delta Nigeria.

2 Potability of Water

Water quality, otherwise known as potability can be

defined as the chemical, physical and biological properties

of water as it concerns safe consumption. It also involves

the process of assessing their physical, chemical and

biological properties in relation to the natural quality and

health effects. Johnson et al., [17] reported that water

quality is largely dependent on the indigenous geology,

ecosystem, as well as human activities. Although the

potability of water may be dependent on the intended use of

the water. For instance, much attention given to water

required for direct human consumption compared to water

used for industrial and other environmental purpose [18].

Notwithstanding, there are two basic contaminant

indicators (elemental and microbial), whose presence or

absence determines the quality of water. Microbial

contaminants in water includes pathogenic bacteria, fungi

and viruses, while elemental contaminants includes metals

as well as organic chemical contaminants from industrial

processes such as; pesticides and herbicides; and

radioactive contaminants [18]. Water Quality Standards

have been established by the World Health Organization

(WHO) in order to regulate potability of water.

2.1 Microbiological Problems associated with water

Potability

Coliform bacteria are commonly used bacterial

indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water. They are

defined as rod-shaped Gram-negative non-spore forming

bacteria which can ferment lactose with the production of

acid and gas when incubated at 35-37°C [19]. Coliforms

can be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on

vegetation; they are universally present in large numbers in

the faeces of warm-blooded animals. Coliforms are

themselves not normally causes of serious illness, they are

easy to culture and their presence is used to indicate that

other pathogenic organisms of faecal origin may be present.

Faecal pathogens include bacteria, viruses, or protozoa and

many multicellular parasites. Faecal coliforms are

microscopic organisms that live in the intestines of all

warm blooded animals, and in animal wastes or faeces

eliminated from the intestinal tract [20]. Faecal coliforms

may indicate the presence of disease carrying organisms

which live in the same environment as the faecal coliform

bacteria. The measurement is expressed as the number of

organisms per 100 ml sample of water (N/100ml). Dryton

[21] found out that faecal contamination in Lilongwe River

was generally high with values in excess of 300

counts/100ml, in all streams that were sampled.

2.2 Some Heavy Metals and the problems they pose to

water Potability

Heavy metals refer to any metallic chemical element

that has relatively high density and is toxic at a very low

concentration. Most metals undergo a process called

methylation; with the aid of microbes they are bio-

accumulated and converted from non-toxic metallic state to

a toxic organo-metallic state. As a results of their

bioaccumulation, they biomagnify along the trophic level

of the food chain. Some heavy metals includes; Arsenic

(Ar) iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead

(Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd). The presence of

heavy metal in water is an indication of contamination and

the persistent consumption of such water will result to

adverse health effects (Table 1).

3 Critical Discussion of Water Quality in

Bayelsa State

3.1 Hydrogeology of the Niger Delta

The Niger delta lies within latitudes 04° N and 05°,

02N and longitudes 006°, 15E and 006°, 24E. It is

characterized by sedimentary formations with a thickness

of about 8000 metres and include from bottom to top,

Akata Formation, Agbada Formation, Benin Formation.

Which is Oligocene to Pleistocene in age. It consists

predominantly of freshwater continental friable sands and

gravel that are of excellent aquifer properties, with

occasional intercalation of shales [7], it is predominantly

unconfined and it does not exceed a thickness of 120

metres [7]. The Niger delta has two basic hydrological

regimes (Coastal and Inland). The potability of surface

water in the Niger delta has been characterised by high

level of contamination, hence the need to resort to

groundwater [38]. Generally, water enters the ground

through infiltrating precipitation and percolation [7].

Furthermore ground water of the Delta is dissected by a

dense network of rivers and creeks, which create a

condition of delta-wide hydrological continuity [7].

The characteristics of the prevailing rock, aquifer

specific yield and retention capacity, water chemistry is

largely dependent on the geology of the environment [39].

Also man made activities is essential input for determine

the quality of natural resources like ground water.

Typically groundwater is a product of geological

formations [40]. The hydraulic conductivities of the sand

vary from 3.82 x 10

-3

to 9.0 x 10

-2

cm/sec, which indicates

a potentially productive aquifer [7]. Specific capacities

recorded from different areas within this formation vary

from 6700 lit/hr/m to 13,500 lit/ hr/m [41]. Limited

fluctuation in the level of Niger delta groundwater reflects

the high amounts of annual precipitation [7]. It is

characterized by sedimentary basin that is virtually riverine

and estuarine and fishing is the major occupation of the

inhabitants of the area [42]. The ground water of the Niger

delta (especially Bayelsa state), is characterized by high

iron concentration. According to Agedah et al. [43] Bayelsa

state for instance, the ground water table ranged from 4 –

60 feet and 5 – 100 feet during the rainy and dry season

respectively depending on the location, and relative

topography.

3.2 Physicochemical quality of Ground water in Bayelsa

state Nigeria

One major parameter that determines the quality of

potable water is its physical and chemical parameters.

Table 2 presents a review of the physicochemical quality

parameters of ground water from Bayelsa state Nigeria.

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 127-135

129

From the foregoing, both surface and groundwater Bayelsa

state has been characterised by high level of iron with a

corresponding acidic pH [1]. Another challenge is saline

intrusion and elevated levels of nitrates, ammonia and

chlorides [44]. Also, Amangabara and Ejenma [7] reported

elevated levels of magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca),

Bicarbonate (HCO

) and hydrogen ion in Bayelsa state.

Furthermore, there had been significant increase of Total

Dissolved Solids (TDS) (up to 2900mg/l) and hydrocarbon

content – oil and grease from 1.8mg/l in 2006 to 71mg/l the

Niger delta due to petroleum exploration activities [45].

Iron and chloride elevation of groundwater were also

reported [46, 47]. In Bayelsa State, leachability of

contaminant to groundwater had been reported by [48, 49].

Table 1: Some heavy metals and their deleterious effects

Heavy Metals

Route of exposure

Health Effects

References

Iron

Natural aquifer occurring metalloid in

Genetic, lung, metabolic

diseases, development of a

benign pneumoconiosis.

[1, 2]

Zinc (Zn)

From industrial and agricultural

activities such as mining, coal, waste

combustion and steel processing paint,

fertilizer, dye, rubber, wood

preservatives, ointments.

Allergy dermatitis,

pulmonary cancer, kidney

and Liver dysfunction.

[22-24]

Arsenic (As)

Metabolized and incorporated into the

food chain through a process known as

methylation

skin cancer, diabetes, and

cardiovascular, neurological,

respiratory disease

[20, 25-28]

Lead (Pb)

lead wastes, cell batteries; lead solders,

lead gasoline and lead based paints

Kidney and Nervous system

dysfunction.

loss of memory, nausea,

insomnia, anorexia, weakness

of the joints, irritation, and

cancer

[10, 22, 23, 29-31]

Copper (Cu)

it may leach to the environment as

industrial waste originating from

electrical wiring, wood preservatives,

leather tanning and fabric

Hypertension, kidney, liver

and neurological

dysfunctions, anaemia,

stomach and intestinal

irritation, complication.

[22, 24, 32]

Mercury (Hg)

Environmental contamination of

mercury arise from industries, medical,

petrochemical as well as agricultural

activities

neurological and renal

dysfunction

[25, 32, 34, 35]

Cadmium (Cd)

it may be leached as geologic deposit

from rocks, as coal and petroleum and

often in combination with zinc

bone and renal dysfunctions

[18, 36, 37]

Chromium (Cr)

Contaminants of chromium may also

originate from paint pigments, cement,

paper, rubber, metal plating, leather

tanning, textile pigments etc.

Allergic dermatitis,

pulmonary cancer. liver and

kidney dysfunction

[23, 24, 30-32]

Basically, the potability of groundwater is largely

dependent on its chemistry [7]. The chemistry of

groundwater is determined by such hydrologic, climatic

and hydrogeologic factors such as; the type of aquifer, the

mode and source of recharge as well as the porosity and

permeability of the soil [48, 50]. Besides pH and total most

of the general physiochemical properties of the ground

water usually complies with the World Health

Organization and Standard organization Limit for potable

water [2]. Generally, most resident of the state treat their

borehole water prior to use so as to reduce the iron

concentration. Some of them typically use single and a few

others use multiple tank trickling filter for treatment.

However, there are still other that do not treat the water at

all. Notwithstanding, routing testing of some acclaimed

potable water still revealed some vital parameters that do

not conform with SON and WHO stated limits [1, 2]. The

pH values is govern by the behaviour of several other

important parameters of water quality including ammonia

toxicity, chlorine disinfection efficiency, and metal

solubility (EPA, 2001), and extremes of pH can affect the

palatability of a water (Ohimain et al., 2014).

Hardness is a natural characteristic of water which can

enhance its palatability and consumer acceptability for

drinking purposes. Health studies in several countries in

recent years indicate that mortality rates from heart

diseases are lower in areas with hard water [51]. These

days, the analysis comprises the determination of calcium

and magnesium which are the main constituents of

hardness. Also, iron can also contribute to hardness, their

concentrations are normally so low in this context that they

can be ignored. In general, the concentration of total

hardness is lower that the permissible limit of 150 mg/l

recommended by SON.

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130

Chloride exists in all natural waters, the concentrations

varying very widely and reaching a maximum in sea water

(up to 35,000 mg/l Cl) [51]. In fresh waters the sources are

mainly from soil and rock formations and sewage

containing high amounts of chloride. Typically, chloride

does not pose a health hazard to humans and the principal

consideration is in relation to palatability. The chloride

level found in groundwater in Bayelsa state is below 250

mg/l Cl recommended by SON, however at this

concentration the water will begin to taste salty and

becomes more objectionable. The presence oil and grease

found in groundwater indicate pollution. However, the

concentration and physical parameters will give an

indication of potential source of the contamination. An

author have reported a concentration above the WHO

permissible value of 0.01 mg/l in ground water in Bayelsa

state, Nigeria. The high level of oil and grease is largely

due to petroleum exploration activities in the Niger delta.

Nitrate is found in groundwater sources. In Bayelsa

state, its concentration is below 50mg/l recommended by

SON. Typically small amount of nitrate is found in natural

waters is of mineral origin, most coming from organic and

inorganic sources, the former including waste discharges

and the latter comprising chiefly artificial fertilisers [51].

High concentration of nitrate in waters to be used for

drinking will render them hazardous to infants as they

induce the "blue baby" syndrome (methaemoglobinaemia).

Oxygen related parameters that determine water

quality include dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen

demand and chemical oxygen demand. The concentration

of dissolved oxygen chemical oxygen demand found in

ground water in Bayelsa state is lower than WHO

permissible limit of 6mg/l and 40mg/l respectively.

However, the concentration of biochemical oxygen

demand is higher than WHO limit of 0.002 mg/l. dissolved

oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen

demand. Dissolved oxygen in ground water have no direct

health implication. The chemical oxygen demand is a

reflection of the pollution index with regard to nutrients,

turbidity and oxygen present.

Temperature is the degree of coldness or hotness of a

body. The temperature of ground water from Bayelsa state

is within the ambient temperature of the region.

Temperature is a function of the surface area, and time of

sampling of the water as well as time for determine its

gauge. Total dissolved solid is the amount of matter or

materials/substance that were unable to dissolve in the

water. The quantity/concentration of total dissolved solid

depend on several parameters especially nutrient such as

nitrate, ammonium, chloride, etc. Typically, the

concentration of total dissolved solid is lower than the

permissible limit recommended by SON and WHO. Total

suspended solid is the amount of materials that found

floating the ground water. The concentration of the total

suspended solid in the ground water ranged from 0.5 – 4.2

mg/l. There is no specific limit for this parameter.

Turbidity is a measure of clay particles, sewage solids,

silt and sand washings, organic and biological sludges

found in the environment/soil etc. The turbidity of the

ground water is Bayelsa state is higher than permissible

value of 5 NTU recommended by SON. Turbidity is a

major water quality indicator because by direct seeing the

water give a condition of the water. Salinity is a measure of

amount of salts in the ground water. The salinity of the

ground water in Bayelsa state is lower that the permissible

value recommended by SON. The presence of a high salt

content may render a water unsuitable for domestic,

agricultural or industrial use, or may affect its suitability

[51].

The presence oil and grease found in ground water

indicate pollution. However, the concentration and

physical parameters will give an indication of potential

source of the contamination. An author have reported a

concentration above the WHO permissible value of 0.01

mg/l in ground water in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Alkalinity

is a measure of the ability of the water samples of the water

to neutralize strong acids in an arbitrarily designated pH or

an indicator end point. The concentration of alkalinity from

ground water in Bayelsa state is below the permissible

value of 500mg/l recommended by WHO.

Potassium and sodium are monovalent cation need by

body for heath growth and development. The concentration

of these monovalent cations is lower than the permissible

limit of 200 mg/l stipulated by SON. In Yenegoa town

within the region, Amangabara and Ejienna [51] noted

from the analyses of the physico-chemical concentrations

in wells to be a reflection of the hydrochemical faecis of

groundwater of the area. The ionic trend of the area is

Ca>HCO3>Na>K>Mg>Cl>SO

3.3 Heavy Metals

Table 2 also presents the concentration of heavy metals

found in ground water in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The

concentration of arsenic often exceed the permissible limit

of 0.01 mg/l by both WHO and SON. Arsenic is a trace

element found at variable concentrations in the atmosphere,

soils and rocks, natural waters [28]. Several inorganic and

organic compounds contain arsenic and they are relatively

harmful to the environment and biological species.

Common oxides of metal containing arsenic is used in the

manufacture of pesticides and insecticides include sodium

arsenite (NaAsO

) used for locusts, arsenic (III) oxide

(As

) used for rodents, calcium arsenate [Ca (AsO

)]

used for cotton boll weevil and the potato beetle [53]. High

exposure of arsenic could cause diseases such as

cardiovascular, hematological, neurological, respiratory,

gastrointestinal and birth disorders, dermatitis and cancer

[28].

Unlike arsenic the concentration of chromium is below

the permissible limit for potable water recommended by

WHO and SON. Typically, the chromium occurs naturally

in their ore, but could arise from discharges of wastes from

electroplating, tanning, textile, paint and dyeing plants.

Chromium is toxic, to a degree which varies with the form

in which it occurs, whether as the trivalent Cr III or the

hexavalent Cr VI form [51]. Also the concentration of

copper found in the groundwater of the state is lower than

the permissible limit. Basically, copper is an essential

element required for normal functioning of the body and

other levity organisms. Copper is present naturally in

metalliferous areas but more often its presence in waters is

due to attack on copper piping. The challenge associated

with high levels of copper in water is galvanic corrosion of

tanks [51].

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 127-135

131

Table 2: General physicochemical characteristics of Ground water in Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Parameters

Mean

Dry season

(November –

March)

Wet season

(April –

October)

Untreated

Single

Trickling

treatment

Double

Trickling

treatment

WHO

Accepted

Limits

WHO Max.

Permissibe

limits

SON Limit

(permissible

limits)

[52]

[7]

[2]

[3]

Standard permissible Limits

Physical Properties

6.16

6.027143

6.384286

4.39 – 5.17

5.49 – 6.55

6.09 – 6.90

6.97

7.0 - 8.5

9.2

6.5 – 8.5

Temperature ℃

28.35143

28.22857

26.24 – 27.41

28.35– 29.64

27.45–29.40

Ambient

T/Hardness, mg/l

63.57

21.67143

17.95714

69.29

500

150

Mg hardness, mg/l

13.48

Ca hardness, mg/l

55.81

TDS (mg/l)

450.29

5.485714

6.585714

48.00 –96.00

12.58 –23.36

18.21 –28.17

500

TSS (mg/l)

2.148571

4.154286

1.60 – 3.20

0.57 – 1.27

0.37 – 0.77

Turbidity (NTU)

1.855714

4.401429

23.35 –30.17

12.29 –18.08

7.14–11.85

0.33

Conductivity, uS/cm

900.42

6.341429

15.71857

0 – 40

1000

Salinity (mg/l)

0.007714

0.000571

24.39 –35.87

9.83 –13.59

11.54 –17.24

400

Dissolved Oxygen

4.08

4.342857

4.14 – 4.48

2.76 – 5.68

5.31 – 7.78

Oil and grease (mg/l)

7.018571

5.43

0.01

Chemical Properties

BOD5 (mg/l

6.614286

5.128571

0.08 – 0.43

0.08 – 0.23

0.05 – 0.11

0.002

0.05

COD (mg/l)

6.141429

6.88

Alkalinity, mg/l

32.5

15.92857

9.52

500

- (mg/l)

0.261857

0.248571

0.05

(mg/l)

0.2

0.136857

0.283286

2.95 –4.31

2.31 –3.53

1.20 –3.25

0.00

S04

(mg/l)

3.89

16.86286

14.91429

0.05

100

HCO

(mg/l)

96.6

30.17857

28.27

(mg/l)

10.07

21.49857

18.20143

1.58

250

(mg/l)

12.22

14.48143

34.55429

200

(mg/l)

24.00

41.67286

22.01571

200

(mg/l)

9.15

50.20714

26.10286

200

(mg/l)

3.76

4.164286

18.96143

150

0.20

Heavy Metals

Iron (Mg/l)

0.23

0.967143

0.5407

5.32 – 9.96

1.67 – 2.00

0.05 – 0.31

0.06

0.1

0.3

Lead (mg/l)

<0.01

0.01

Copper, mg/l

0.001

0.05

1.5

Manganese, mg/l

0.000286

0.00

0.05

0.5

0.2

Zinc, mg/l

0.007571

0.004

0.01 - 1.06

0.24 – 1.36

0.05 – 0.21

Mercury, mg/l

<0.01

0.001

Chromium, mg/l

0.001286

0.00071

0.01 – 0.04

<0.01- 0.04

<0.01

0.05

Arsenic, mg/l

0.01 – 0.04

<0.01 – 0.04

<0.01

0.01

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages: 127-162

132

Iron is one of the most abundant element found in

Niger Delta environment mainly due to geological

formation. In Bayelsa state especially the concentration

is so high that nearly all the water tank for ground water

is coloured reddish brown, which indicate the presence

of oxidize iron. As such the concentration of iron in the

region often exceed the permissible limit of 0.3 mg/l

recommended by SON.

The objections to iron are primarily organoleptic, but

there has been recent medical concern about high levels

in drinking water. Iron concentration in over 90% of the

samples was above the permissible limit for drinking

water and would require treatment [52]. So far,

literatures have not reported lead in ground water in

Bayelsa state, hence it concentration is far below the

permissible limits. Lead is one of the most commonly

determined heavy metals that can accumulates in body.

High concentration could lead to lead poisoning and

other disease conditions.

Manganese is found widely in soils and is a

constituent of many ground waters. It, too, may be

brought into solution in reducing conditions and the

excess metal will be later deposited as the water is re-

aerated [51]. The presence of manganese above the limits

results to taste challenge. However, the concentration of

manganese found in groundwater sources in Bayelsa

state is below the permissible limit recommended by

SON. Mercury is a non-essential element that are not

required by living thing. Studies have shown that

mercury is absence in ground water in Bayelsa state,

Nigeria. Mercury have bioaccumulation properties i.e

accumulation of organo-mercury compounds. Selenium

is non-essential element found in the environment. A

concentration of ≤0.08 mg/l have been reported from

untreated ground water in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Zinc is

an essential metal required by living organisms. Zinc are

found is diverse form of environment including soil and

water. The concentration of zinc found in ground water

in Bayelsa state and its environs is below the permissible

value stipulated by SON and WHO [2].

3.4 Microbial quality of Groundwater in Bayelsa State

Microbes are ubiquitous, and the type of microbes

found in a particular environment is an indication of

possible source of contaminants, environmental

conditions such as pH and temperature. Again most

microbes are known to be pathogenic especially in

immunocompromised patients. The population of

heterotrophic bacteria is high as well as total fungi. Also,

the presence of fecal coliforms suggest the presence of

fecal material in the ground water.

Table 3 presents the population of microbial count

found in ground water in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. This is

possible to high ground water table found in Bayelsa

state. Most indigenes of the area also lack good toilet

system. Sometimes the suck away of toilet system is

located close to ground water sources (i.e submergible

pump head). The presence of coliforms will indicates the

presence of microbes include E. coli, Faecal

Staphylococci i.e Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium

species etc. typically this organisms are indicator

organisms that are used in monitoring the pollution level

in the water sources.

Table 3: Microbial counts found in Ground water sources

in Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Total

count

Untreated

Single

treatment

Double

treatm

ent

Total

Heterotrophic

Bacteria,

cfu/ml

1.19 – 9.33 x10

0.1 – 9.0 x10

0.00 – 1.7

x10

Total fungi,

cfu/ml

4.17 – 9.27 x10

3.70 – 7.77

x10

0.67 – 3.1

x10

Total coliform,

MPN/100ml

163 – 243

14 – 44.67

5.03 – 10.07

Fecal coliform,

MPN/100ml

60.33 – 69.00

3.33 – 10.33

0.00 – 2.00

Adapted from Ohimain et al. [2]

3.5 Management of Groundwater Contaminants in the

Niger delta

Management and protection of groundwater quality

has been a major problem in Nigerian especially in rural

area and coastal cities. Wastes remain a major pollutant

of the ground water, which find their way into the water

through infiltration. Waste dumpsites are not properly

designed nor constructed as landfill sites [40]. Therefore,

wastes dumped at dumpsites over the years are expected

to have biodegenerated and generate leachates which

could become point source of pollution into soil and

groundwater [54]. The rate and characteristics of leachate

production depends on a number of factors such as solid

waste composition, particle size, degree of compaction,

hydrology of the sites, age of the landfill, mixture and

temperature of the condition and availability of oxygen

[55]. This is traced to leachate from dumpsite. Angaye et

al. [10] determined the quality of leachate entering

surface water and concluded that the characteristics of

heavy metals were high as well as the microbial counts.

High concentration levels of turbidity, hardness,

alkalinity, pH, calcium, nitrate, magnesium, zinc,

phosphate and coliform were noted in the well close to

dumpsite and evidence of leachate contamination.

The contamination of groundwater in the Niger delta

is liable due to the nature of the terrain, which is

characterised by shallow aquifer and high level of

precipitation. Hence, the contamination of groundwater

is liable due to the lechability of toxic waste, arising

from industrialization and high population without

adequate waste management policies and strong

litigation to deter offenders [10]. The hysterical use of

land, industrialization, indiscriminate release of toxic

chemical, deforestation have impacted negatively on the

quality of water resources [56]. There are several sources

through which contaminants enters the environment

(soil, water and air). Notwithstanding these sources can

be classified into two major groups (point sources and

nonpoint sources). In point source pollution the

pollutants originates from a defined source or specific

location e.g. pipe [57]. On the other hand, non-point

Sources are unspecific sources, at low concentrations

compared to point sources points [58]. They originate

from unpredicted runoff (leachates) which makes their

mitigation difficult. Jennings and Kahle [59], established

that the contaminant load of point sources pollution can

be determined from the sampling and flow rate at the

point of entry to a receiving water body; as such it is easy

to mitigate point source pollution compared to non-point

source pollution due to specificity [60].

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages:

127-135

133

4 Conclusions

This study reviewed the quality of potable water in

Bayelsa state. Unfortunately, this study revealed the

physicochemical parameters of some acclaimed potable

water were above the recommended SON and WHO

limits. They include oil and grease, total iron, iron,

arsenic, selenium, biological oxygen demand and pH.

The occurrence of these contaminants above their

threshold limit is associated to the geology and the

geochemistry of the area as well as the rate of

urbanization, landfill/dumpsite leachates, organic matters

and seasonal influence. More worrisome is the fact that

best-available potable water in Bayelsa state are either

commercialized or only available to the affluent people.

Notwithstanding, prolong consumption of contaminated

water has become a major concern to public health.

Considering the fact that water is a major requirement for

human existence. Some infectious and non-infectious

diseases have been linked to consumption of

contaminated water. These diseases includes but not

limited to; typhoid, dysentery, cholera and diarrhoea.

Others includes; systemic dysfunction of the

cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, nervous,

gastrointestinal diseases, Respiratory systems. Also

genetic disorder has also been reported.

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