AN ASSESSMENT OF POTABILITY OF SPRING WATERS IN THE INNER CITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The perennial nature of springs, their inaccessibility and non-proximity to users, coupled with the inability of the State Water Corporation to meet domestic water supply needs, had brought about an accelerated dependence on these springs by a large proportion of the population in Ibadan. However, not much research has been done on their potability characteristics, which is an important aspect in the interest of public health. The objective of the study is to identify the springs found in 6 local government areas of Ibadan namely: lbadan North, Ibadan North-East, lbadan North-West, lbadan South-East, and lbadan South-West; document their environmental conditions and evaluate their quality

characteristics. The study was exploratory and descriptive in design. An observation checklist and a focus group discussion-guide were employed to collect data on the environmental conditions and ascertain the knowledge, altitude and practice of users of these springs. Observations were carried out during the morning and evening hours of the day. A Focus Group Discussion was undertaken for each spring with participants comprising of those who utilize them as water sources. Samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate their quality characteristics and compared with the World Health Organization criteria in terms of potability. A total of sixteen springs were identified in the study area of this number,13 (81%) serve primarily, as sources of drinking water and three (18.7%), for non-drinking purposes. Fifty two water samples, 4 per spring for both seasons were collected and analyzed using methods described by the American Public Health Association.

These springs rank high in preference to other sources, with women and children being the most frequent users. The rate of use increases 39.6-44.4 to 57.1-7.5 persons/hour during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. The environmental conditions around these springs are poor, as indicated by the presence of refuse and other wastes, overgrown vegetation, and smell of urine and faeces. Majority of those who use these springs confessed a lack of any scientific knowledge about the nature and mode of their formation. However, users prefer them to other source because of their relative availability, accessibility and aesthetic quality. Analytical data indicate that these springs are exposed to faecal contamination. Coliform counts for both rainy and dry seasons gave values ranging from 81 to 161 and 64 to 130 cfu/100ml respectively, compared to 0/100m advocated by the WHO. Analysis for physical and chemical parameters gave values that fell within the WHO guidelines for Manganese, Cadmium, and Copper. However, Lead and iron concentrations were slightly higher than the recommended limits of 0.01 and 1.0mg/1 in four (30.8%) and five (38.5%) of the spring sources, respectively. This study showed that water from the springs has good chemical quality. The lead levels can be reduced once the springs are protected from seepage. However, their poor bacteriological quality, indicated by high Coliform counts raises a concern about their potability. To reduce the fears of ill hearth associated with their use, it is recommended that efforts be made to improve their sanitary conditions, develop and protect them from pollution, and create awareness on hygienic mode of their collection and use through community participation and empowerment.