Analysis of Physiochemical Parameters of Borehole and Dug Well in Ubon Akwa Community, Obot Akara Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The borehole and dug well in Ubon Akwa Community, Obot Akara Local Government Area was assessed. Six (6) borehole (BH) and one dug well (DW) samples were sampled from the three (3) villages (Ikot Obong, Ikot Akpan Enuek, and Nto Ikpang) that make up Ubon Akwa Community. Standard analytical procedures were employed in analyzing the physiochemical, Heavy metals and the bacteriological composition of the water samples. The results of the analysis were compared with the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Standards (NSDWQ). While some of the investigated physiochemical parameters were either below or within the permissible limits as prescribed by NSDWQ, some of the parameters had values above the acceptable limits set by the regulatory body. NO3– (52.96 ± 5.2) mgL-1 was slightly higher than the NSDWQ acceptable limit of 50mgL-1 . BOD5 (5.5 ± 0.9) mgL-1 also showed concentration above the limit 5.0mgL-1 set by NSDWQ. The Fecal Coliform recorded a higher colony forming units (84 CFU/100ml) against the recommended NSDWQ limit of 10 CFU/100ml. The heavy metals were within the permissible limits. Higher concentrations of BOD5, NO3– and Fecal Coliform Bacteria suggest organic matter contamination and feces which could either be from humans and or warm blooded animals. These water sources should be treated before use. A common practice in the community is the use of pit toilet. Therefore, awareness campaigns should be carried out to sensitize people of the community the negative impact of sitting a borehole close to a pit toilet or septic tanks.