EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN ABA NORTH L.G.A OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract
Using the Water Quality Index (WQI) technique, this research was aimed to evaluate the quality of selected groundwater samples from Aba North LGA of Abia State. The physio-chemical characteristics of test (10) water samples from wells were analyzed. The following factors are taken into account when determining the water quality index: pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, calcium fluoride, iron, potassium, sulphate, nitrate, and carbonate. Physical and chemical contamination was clearly demonstrated by the high levels of nitrite and pH that were found. Water samples with low pH values of 2.80 to 6.49, below the WHO-recommended range of 6.5 to 8.5, were found. High nitrite values between 3.02 and 4.31 mg/L are also present and were found to be, once more, more than the 3.0mg/L WHO permitted limits. The integrity of groundwater may be improved by enhanced and/or ongoing combined environmental interventions, such as public health education provided by community-based health workers and awareness and sensitization campaigns on the sustainable use of inorganic fertilizer. In order to ensure that everyone in the area has access to clean drinking water, the researcher suggests that governments at all levels build more water filtration plants, keep sewer drains separate from pipe water supply drains to prevent waste water from leaching into groundwater, and regularly monitor groundwater quality everywhere.
Keywords
Groundwater, Quality Index, Portability, Physico-Chemical, Parameters