EVALUATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF PIPE-BORNE WATER IN FLOODED AREAS OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study assesses the physicochemical quality of tap water in flooded areas across selected localities in Rivers State, Nigeria, focusing on Tai, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Oyigbo, and Eleme during both dry and wet seasons. Key water quality parameters—electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, total hardness, magnesium hardness, calcium hardness, dissolved oxygen, and pH—were analyzed to evaluate seasonal variations. Results indicated that EC ranged from 0.87±0.005 to 0.97±0.0 µS/cm² (dry) and 0.80±0.01 to 113±1.58 µS/cm² (wet); TDS from 34.2±13.3 to 65.2±31.4 mg/L (dry) and 0.85±0.04 to 140.8±33.4 mg/L (wet); turbidity from 0.13±0.004 to 0.18±0.01 NTU (dry) and 0.15±0.03 to 0.31±0.1 NTU (wet). Hardness parameters varied with total hardness between 55.6±23.9 and 151.8±43.3 mg/L (dry), and 19.6±1.1 to 103.3±9.6 mg/L (wet). Magnesium and calcium hardness showed similar seasonal fluctuations. pH ranged from slightly acidic to neutral, with 6.80±1.10 to 7.60±0.89 in dry and 5.68±0.10 to 6.78±0.13 in wet seasons. All measured parameters complied with WHO standards for drinking water, indicating that the tap water in these flooded areas is generally safe for domestic use despite seasonal variations.