Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research

Drinking water is hardly found 100% pure in nature due to human activities and other natural factors. Many diseases in developing countries are caused by drinking contaminated water. Water samples collected were analyzed by automated instrumental methods prescribed by standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater and the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results showed SO₄^2- range  from ND to 60.00mg/L; pH 5.27 to 6.79; NO₃^- 1.19-11,64 mg/L; PO₄^2- 10.12 to 352.00mg/L;  Cd range from 0.011± 0.00 to 0.032 ± 0.00mg/L; Ni, from ND to 0.04 mg/L; Cr, ND to 0.686 ± 0.07mg/L; Pb ND to 0.34 ± 0.01mg/L, total bacteria count TaBC, 1.5 x 10⁴ to 8.5 x 10⁴ CFU/mL in the samples used. The calculated average daily intake (ADI) for Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were within acceptable limits while the hazard quotients (HQ) for all the metals were >1, signifying that the population would experience non-cancer risks due to exposure to these metals in drinking water. The bacteriological study of the water samples also revealed that the water samples were all polluted with bacteria and coliforms. From the foregoing, these drinking water sources, therefore require treatment before consumption to minimize or avoid the incidences of water-related diseases.