Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Contamination of Groundwater Using Integrated Multivariate Techniques in Selected Parts of Ogun State South-West Nigeria

Aside from the significance of groundwater quality in human health, its potency in attracting a great deal of interest cannot be overemphasized. In an attempt to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of groundwater in selected parts of Ogun State, integrated Multivariate techniques were employed on the acquired sampled datasets involving Descriptive statistics using mean and standard error; Correlation Analysis (CA), Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were carried out characterize and determine the relationship and contribution of the parameters to the variation within a group of entries. The parameters were determined from a total of 240 samples collected from 30 communities across the 5 investigated Local Government Area of Ogun State both in Wet and Dry season. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS statistical package. the results were grouped into four risk categories, namely low risk (<1 per 100 mL), medium risk (1-10 per 100 mL), high risk (11-100 per 100 mL) and very high risk (>100 per 100 mL) where 86.6% and 63.33% accounted for medium risk while 13.33% and 36.66% accounted for high risk with no exhibited recorded value for low and very high risk in both in both wet and dry season respectively based on the allowable standards of the Nigerian Industrial Standard which recommends zero E.coli per 100 mL of drinking water samples. There is therefore need for the existence of a statutory unit charged with responsibility for continuous monitoring of water bodies, sensitization and education of the rural populace of the study area on the adverse health implications of the presence of toxic materials in their water supply sources.