This paper DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4005837

Water Quality Assesment and Health Risk Implications on Residents of Diobu, Port Harcourt Metropolis

Chukwu-Okeah, G.O^1*, Ushie Lawrence¹ and Osademe Chukwudi, Dollar²

¹Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

² Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology, Rivers State University, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding author E-mail: giftchukwuokeah@yahoo.com

Abstract: The study interest was to ascertain the quality of water in the area and its influence of disease incidence. To achieve this, water quality analysis was also done for three water samples which were collected from public water boreholes. The parameters of interest to the study are pH, Total Dissolved Solids, E.coli, Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Total Coliform Count, Chromium, Nickel, Cadmium and Lead, all these parameters were tested using standard operating procedure in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The study showed that the quality of the water in the area is poor and polluted and hence possess great danger to life especially children and the aged. The study recommended that water regulatory authorities if not in place should be set up primarily to ensure water facility provision and maintenance in the area. Residents as well should be encouraged to boil their water before consumption as a measure to curtail the spread of water borne disease which is evident in the area.

Keywords: Assessment, Water, Water Quality, Health, Risk, residents