The impact of pit latrines and septic tank systems on water quality of some selected shallow wells in Enugu Urban, Nigeria was investigated. The objective was to establish the impact of poor sanitary facilities in the area and give policymakers and all stakeholders in the area broader view of the potential risks traditional pit latrines and septic tanks pose to groundwater quality in Enugu urban. Three pit latrines and three septic tanks were randomly selected from different households in the area. Six shallow wells were also marked for assessment within the vicinity of each pit latrine and septic tank systems, and were labeled W1, W2, W3, W4, W5 and W6. Twelve (12) samples were collected from the six wells; two samples from each well at six hours intervals. The samples were then composited and analyzed for pH, temperature, TDS, TSS, EC, turbidity, hardness, nitrate, chloride, phosphate, sulphate, Fe, Ca and Mg using standard methods. Total and fecal coliform bacteria were analyzed using the Most Probable Number (MPN) procedure. Results obtained were analyzed and compared with WHO and Nigeria NESREA permissible limits in drinking water for each parameter. Results showed that total and fecal coliform bacteria, EC, TSS, turbidity phosphate, Fe, and Mg, were significantly above the WHO/NESREA allowable limits, temperature was below the permissible limit, while other parameters were within the permissible limits, but have the tendency to increase significantly above the limits if the trends continue without checkmating. Results also showed that shallow well waters studied were contaminated due to the presence of coliform bacteria percolated from pit latrines and septic tanks, and are therefore not fit for drinking without proper treatment. However, the possibility of contamination is less with the wells which were observed to be covered at the top. An integrated approach involving geo-technology, hydrogeology and groundwater pollution should be considered as a way forward in efforts to solve sanitation problems in the area, and water from shallow wells in Enugu urban should be boiled properly before use.
Ogwo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.