SPATIAL VARIATIONS OF THREE SELECTED RIVER WATERS QUALITIES IN EBONYI STATE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Abstract

The study focused on spatial quality evaluation of three selected rivers in Ebonyi State for human
consumption. The rivers studied were Ubei, Idima and Iyioka rivers. Data was generated using Direct
Reading Engineering Method (DREM), Gravimetric Method, Titrimetric Method, Spectrophotometric
Method, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method, Total Viable count for physiochemical and
Microbiological analysis respectively. The generated data was further subjected to a statistical analysis
using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on difference between means of parameters and graphical
method to determine the spatial variation of the water qualities.
The results showed that for some variables there is statistical difference between means of parameters
with respect to space at various levels of significance. They include Sulphate (1%), Alkalinity (5%),
Chemical Oxygen (5%), Nickel (1%), Arsenic (1%), Zinc (1%), Cadmium (1%), Bacteria (1%). Based
on World Health Organization and Standard Organization of Nigeria guideline for drinking water, the
results of microbiological analysis also indicated that the three selected rivers are polluted with disease
causing microorganisms, such as E.Coliform, Salmonella, Bacillus Subtilis, all through the river course.
Therefore, the river waters are not good for drinking. The consumers of this river waters are like to suffer
the following: typhoid, fever, intestinal problem, diarrhea, skin rash, cholera. Necessary recommendations
such as treating the water with Bio-Sand filter before use, amongst others, were made.