Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Close Proximity to Septic Tanks and Potential Impact on Health

Abstract

A field study was conducted to assess groundwater samples collected in close proximity to septic tanks and its potential impact on health. pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness. TDS, BOD, Turbidity, EC, Magnesium, Phosphate, Sulphate, Chloride, Nitrate, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd were determined using standard methods. The human health risk assessment was performed by determining the hazard quotient of physicochemical and heavy metals through human oral consumption. The results indicate that the hazard quotient for pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, TDS, BOD, Turbidity, EC, Magnesium, Phosphate, Sulphate, Chloride, Nitrate, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd were less than 1 while Temperature (1.1, 1.1 and 1,1), Dissolved Oxygen [CE1(3.3), CE2(3.8) and CE3(3.7)] and Calcium [CE1 (0.0), CE2 (2.6), and CE3 (1.2)] except for CE1 were greater than 1. This indicates that the borehole water poses risk for human consumption. Regulatory agencies should be proactive in monitoring borehole water quality, agencies in charge of approving building plan should ensure a safe distance between borehole water and septic tank is maintained and enforced.