Filling Stations and Their Effects on Groundwater Quality in Ilorin Metropolis

The study aimed to assess groundwater quality of hand-dug wells at close proximities to filling stations in Ilorin metropolis. The study involved analyses for physicochemical and heavy metal constituents of the water samples. The sample size was purposively selected across the three (3) local government areas of Ilorin, twenty-six (26) accessible functioning stations above 15 years of establishment in the metropolis with hand-dug wells within or around its premises were chosen. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters such as Temperature, Turbidity, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solid, Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Fluoride, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Heavy metals like Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Nickel using standard methods. Results were compared with the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality which revealed anomaly in concentration of some parameters such as Turbidity, Conductivity, Total Dissolved solids, Total Hardness, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Nickel at some stations. The results from the combined physicochemical and heavy metal analyses of the water samples indicated activities of the filling stations within the area may have polluted groundwater in the environment posing an aesthetically unappealing situation and great health risk to consumers of the water resources.