Borehole Water Quality within the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to determine the quality of borehole water supplied within the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria in order to ascertain its suitability for drinking purpose. Water samples were procured from 16 boreholes within the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The physico-chemical parameters determined include turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, total hardness, magnesium and alkalinity while the bacteriological parameters include Total Coliform Bacteria, and E.coli (Faecal Coliform). pH values ranged from 6.2 to 7.7, only BH10 did not fall within the WHO recommended range of 6.5 to 8.5. The chloride content of BH10 exceeded the WHO maximum permissible limit by 0.6 mg/l. BH01 and BH13 exceeded the WHO maximum permissible limit of 100 mg/l for total hardness with values of 119.7 and 128.1 mg /l respectively. Magnesium content of the water samples ranged from 0.98 to 3.3 mg/l with BH02, BH03, BH05, BH10, BH13, BH14 and BH15 exceeding the WHO maximum permissible limit of 2 mg/l with values of 2.1, 2.7, 2.9, 2.7, 3.3, 2.3 and 2.9 respectively. Most of the borehole water samples analyzed fell within WHO standards for potable water. However, because of pH, chloride, total hardness and magnesium contamination reported in some of the water samples analyzed, it is recommended that the water be subjected to treatment before distribution to the consumers in order to make it safe for drinking purpose. Keywords – Quality, borehole, permissible limit, treatment, drinking