Abstract

Physico-chemical and heavy metals analyses of borehole water samples from four residential areas in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was carried out to ascertain the level of borehole water quality. The water samples were collected from Ewet and Shelter Afrique Housing Estates which are Government Residential Areas (GRA) and low income residential areas of Ikpa Road and Abak Road. The GRA are occupied by politician, senior civil servants while Ikpa Road and Abak Road residential areas are occupied by junior civil servants, students and petty traders. The parameters determined included: colour, odour, turbidity, temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, Dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), Nitrate, Chloride, Calcium and heavy metals such as Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, Lead and Cadmium using conventional equipment and standard laboratory procedures. Results obtained in borehole water collected from low income residential areas (Ikpa Road and Abak Road), showed traceable pollution that were above the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) limits for consumption. This results indicating toxic pollution in borehole water collected from Ikpa and Abak Roads residential areas. Heavy metals concentrations observed in borehole water from low income residential areas were above the WHO permissible level. This may be attributed to poor sanitary conditions and indiscriminate dumping of wastes in their environment. The results showed that borehole water in low income residential areas (Ikpa and Abak Road) in Uyo metropolis were strongly polluted and require urgent attention and high levels of treatment before use.

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