Evaluation of groundwater and stream quality characteristics in the vicinity of a battery factory in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Well water and Oniyere stream in the vicinity of a factory manufacturing lead-batteries in Ibadan, Nigeria were analysed for the following general physico-chemical characteristics: pH, temperature, conductivity, total alkalinity, total hardness, solids, chloride, nitrate, ammonia, dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand. The samples were collected at six sampling locations along the stream network (three locations at upstream and another four at downstream) and from six wells in different households in the neighbourhood of the factory. The levels of physico-chemical characteristics investigated of the well water were generally below the WHO guidelines for drinking water. However, the well waters were poor in quality in terms of the levels of pH, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd recorded. The factory wastewater impacts the stream with heavy metals. Thus, the well water requires further purification to ensure its suitability for human consumption. © 2008 Academic Journals.