Seasonal Assessment of the Physicochemical Quality of Groundwater used for Domestic Purposes at a University Campus in Benin City, Nigeria

The study seasonal assessment of the physicochemical quality of groundwater used for domestic purposes at a university campus in Benin city, Nigeria. A total of 24 water samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons and analyzed at Martlet Environmental Laboratory. Parameters examined included pH, colour, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, chloride, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron. The results indicated that the water was generally clear and free from detectable turbidity. Most parameters, including conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, chloride, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand, were within WHO, SON and NAFDAC permissible limits. Iron(fe) was detected, while magnesium generally complied with WHO and NAFDAC standards, although some girls' hostel samples exceeded the SON requirement. The major concern was the acidic nature of the groundwater, with pH values ranging from 5.0 to 6.0 during the dry season and PH valves ranging 4.0 to 6.0. Conductivity and zinc concentrations increased during the rainy season, possibly due to the infiltration of human waste into the aquifer. Iron concentrations also exceeded NAFDAC and SON limits during the rainy season. The study concludes that the groundwater requires treatment before consumption, particularly for pH correction. It recommends neutralizer filtration, improved sanitation, proper septic-tank and latrine management, regular cleaning of storage tanks, routine sanitary inspections and further microbiological analysis.