Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality in and Around Benue State Brewery Limited (BBL) in Makurdi Town, Benue State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Water quality displays the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water. The quality of surface and groundwater is currently an important concern with population growth and industrialization. Over utilization of water resources due to demand is causing the deterioration of surface and groundwater. Periodic water quality testing must be carried out to protect our water resources. The study assessed the concentration levels of physicochemical and bacteriological pollutants in surface water and groundwater in and around BBL Makurdi. The Study selected five surfaces (streams) and five groundwater (hand-dug wells) sources around BBL Makurdi and labeled S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 respectively, and obtained water samples for laboratory analysis. Samples are examined for the following heavy metal pollutants - cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn). The results were compared with WHOs standards for drinking water. Descriptive statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were employed in data analysis. The results indicate that the mean concentration of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Mn for surface water were 0.0110, 1.6145, 0.05182, and 0.24312; while groundwater was 0.01318, 1.6713, 0.04278, and 0.2418. The result further shows that the standard deviation for surface water were 0.0056, 1.0579, 0.0295, and 0.1088 with their corresponding standard deviation of 50.91%, 65.525, 56.928, and 45.108. while those of groundwater were 0.00517 (39.226%),  0.8580 (51.337%),  0.1837(429.406), and 0.19065 (77.943%)  The study found that the surface and groundwater sources are heavily contaminated with heavy metals with Lead and manganese exceeding WHOs, the tolerant limit of 0.1mg/l-1 in all the sample points. The study, therefore, recommends proper treatment of water from all sources in the study area before consumption.