The effect of septic tank locations on borehole water quality in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Fubara-Manuel, I; Jumbo, Raphael

Abstract

The effect of septic tank locations on borehole water quality in five locations in Port Harcourt metropolis of Rivers State, Nigeria, was investigated. The locations were Miles I and III, Old GRA, Rukpokwu and Ada George. Three boreholes and septic tanks were involve in each location. The distance between each borehole and septic tank was measured while water sample from each borehole was analysed for parameters such as appearance, taste, pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, salinity, and turbidity. Other parameters were total dissolved solid (TDS), phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, ammonium, chlorides, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), total coliform bacteria (TCB) and faecal count bacteria (FCB). The results obtained from the various locations were compared with WHO drinking water quality standard. From the results, there was no problem with appearance and taste. However, the highest pH value was 4.4 from both Mile III and Ada George, with distance between borehole and septic tank of 6m and 9m respectively. The pH value is below that recommended by WHO (6.5-8.5), thus indicating that the water from all the locations, irrespective of distance between boreholes and septic tanks, is acidic. For Salinity, only water samples from Old GRA and Rukpokwu (0.1mg/l each) were outside WHO's specified limit of 0.05mg/l, despite the varying distances between boreholes and septic tanks. Water samples from all the other locations were also within the recommended WHO's limit for TDS, sulphate, nitrate and chloride. For total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), total coliform bacteria (TCB) and faecal count bacteria (FCB) only water samples from Ada George have values greater than that recommended by WHO. Water from Ada George, irrespective of distances between borehole and septic tank has the highest coliform contamination, thus rendering the water unsuitable for human consumption.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Engineering and Technology
• Electronic ISSN: 2049-3444
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 236 - 242
• Keywords: septic tank; borehole; Port Harcourt; Nigeria
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11997390
• Publisher URL: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=694d547577043a7d4cb25a5dc0416476668c36d0