Quantification of the Physico-Chemical Parameters and Estimation of Water Quality in Otuoke River During Low Tides, Using Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index Analysis
Abstract
Surrounded by river water, many coastal communities are torn apart by a lack of potable water for basic needs. Over the years, Otuoke community has relied majorly on river for its water needs, without actually knowing its quality status, particularly during the low tides. This research therefore addressed the pressing question of if harvesting water during the low tide is suitable for domestic needs. The study involved the collection of five water samples from different locations along the river reach during the low tides at distances between 150m-200m apart. A total of eight parameters were analyzed in the laboratory, they included pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Hardness, Nitrates, Chlorides, and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The results of the water quality analysis were compared with guideline values from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), using statistical charts. The Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) method, aided by Microsoft Excel, was used to further evaluate the overall quality of the average samples. The findings showed that the Otuoke River's water quality is significantly of poor quality, with a WAWQI value of 169.62 according to the WAWQI classification table. Based on these findings, the water quality during the low tide in its current study was unfit for domestic consumption without proper treatment. It is therefore recommended that a further treatment of Turbidity and BOD will make the water fit for town supply to meet the water needs of the residents. Actionable policies of waste disposal should be put in place to mitigate against increased BOD and Turbidity of the Otuoke river.
