Author : Okwu-Delunzu Virginia Ugoyibo, Iloeje Franscis Amaechi,& Aniagolu Celestine Obinna

Industrial and domestic wastes are the most common sources of groundwater pollution due to the fact that they are mainly in urbanized areas where water demand is higher and groundwater exploitation more intense. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the sources of pollution together with the problems associated with contaminated groundwater in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu urban. To carry out this work; A survey was initiated to assess the presence of contaminants in groundwater; this survey involves collection of well water samples for laboratory analysis, observation, use of questionnaire and interview. Analysis of groundwater samples obtained for this study carried out between April and May 2012, for the three (3) samples analysed shows that test for physical and chemical characteristics are within the World Health Organisation (WHO) acceptable limits, while the microbiological characteristics for the three (3) samples showed absence of Ecoli but high concentration of total Coliform bacteria above the WHO permissible limit for portable water (Table 4.-4.11). Thus the presence of Total Coliform in well water  indicates contamination of the groundwater by human sewage or animal droppings which could contain other bacteria, viruses, or disease-causing organisms. The sanitary survey for this study observed the following as sources of groundwater pollution in the study area; Agricultural runoff, Effluent from septic systems or sewage discharges, Infiltration of domestic or wild animal Faeces matter,
and Poor well maintenance and construction. The risk of bacteria and other harmful organisms getting into a well water supply can also increase in shallow dug wells. It is therefore recommended that creating proper awareness could, to a large extent prevent or totally eliminate groundwater contamination.

Affiliation :

Department of Geography and Meteorology,  Enugu State University of Science and Technology,Nigeria

Keywords : Domestic wastes, Evaluation, Groundwater, Microbiological Characteristics, Pollution
Date : Tuesday ,01 ,September ,2015

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