Assessment of water quality status of borehole in calabar south local government area, Cross River State.

In Nigeria, the inability of the government to provide potable and sufficient water to her increasing population has led to the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes by private individuals in order to meet the increasing water needs of the people. Sadly, water from these boreholes is pumped and sold to the people for drinking and household activities without any form of treatment. The study examines the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of boreholes in Calabar South, Cross River. Four functional boreholes in the area were used. Result showed that the borehole water samples were acidic with a mean pH value of 5.56; the values of total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity was zero; indicating the absence of organic and inorganic solids. The conductivity of the borehole water samples varied with values ranging from 190 to 494μs/cm. Total hardness of the water samples ranged from 16.00 to 32.00mg/l below WHO 500 mg/l desirable limit. Bacteriological index showed that the four sampled boreholes had no coliform (total coliform) contamination; hence, water from these boreholes was suitable for consumption. In order to maintain the current quality status of borehole water in the area, regular monitoring by the authorities concerned as well as proper treatment of the water before making it available to the public were suggested.