ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF PIT LATRINE ON GROUND WATER QUALITY

Ground water is an important source of water for domestic use especially in developing country like Nigeria. Water is said to be safe for drinking when it is free of pathogens,poisonous substances and excessive amount of mineral and organic matter. This research is aimed at assessing the ground water quality at Amuloko Area Thywill Ibadan with a view to determining it suitability for domestic utilization in respect their proximity to the pit latrine.Water samples were collected from three hand dug wells and one pit latrine in the study area.From each of the hand dug wells, one replicate sample were collected for the analysis.Temperature, pH, and conductivity were directly measured using pH, Temperature and conductivity meters respectively. Total dissolved solids (TDS) calculated from the conductivity values obtained. Turbidity determined with a HACH 2100 P Turbidity meter. Nitrate, Sulphate,Phosphate and Fluoride, Chloride contents were calorimetrically analyzed using DR890Colorimeter.Calcium was determined by EDTA titration, while Total alkalinity was determined by strong acid titration method. Trace elements-total iron, copper, fluoride, were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) after extraction with Aqua-regia. Total and Feacal coliforms were determined by Membrane Filtration method using M-Endo Agar Les (Difco) at 35℃ and on MFC Agar 44°, respectively. Results of physic-chemical analysis indicated that mean value of turbidity (6NTU), Total hardness (195mg/I) and fluoride 1.95mg/l in water obtained from the hand dug wells have exceed the threshold limits recommended by regulatory authorities. The bacteriological analysis also revealed that all the three hand dug wells water sources contained high Total and Feacal coliform counts and therefore not suitable for drinking. It is recommended among others that proper disinfection should be carried out on the water and the general sanitary condition of the area should be improved.