Quality Assessment and Treatment of Hand-Dug Well Water Consumed by Residents of Ajogodo Community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to ascertain the quality of hand-dug well water consumed by residents of Ajogodo community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria and the potentials for use of Moringa oleifera seeds and aluminium sulphate (Alum) for water purification. The first phase of the study focused on hand-dug well water quality assessment while the second phase involved water treatment experiments to ascertain the individual and synergistic water purification potentials of Moringa oleifera seeds and Alum. Assay for physicochemical and microbial parameters was carried out using standard procedures. Results obtained in this study revealed that water quality indicators for the untreated water were above permissible WHO/NSDWQ regulatory limits for potable water. Water samples treated with Moringa oleifera seed powder recorded an improvement in water parameters as compared to untreated samples while water samples treated with a blend of alum and Moringa oleifera seed powder recorded the best performance and significant reduction in Total Solids (155.90±1.37mg/l), Total Suspended Solids (27.20±3.20mg/l), Total Hardness (28.10±0.67mg/l), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (3.65±0.09mg/l), Nitrite (0.15±0.00mg/l), Calcium (17.73mg/l), Magnesium (310.27mg/l), Copper (0.07mg/l), Total Coliform (0.47±0.03cfu) and E. coli (0.30±0.06 cfu). Findings from this study revealed that water obtained from hand-dug wells in Ajogodo community is unsafe for drinking and should be treated before consumption. The use of a combination of Moringa oleifera seed and alum offers an effective and easy option to purify water before consumption.