Analysis of Well Water Quality Index as Panacea for Sustainable Healthy Living in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

This investigation was carried out to analyze the hand-dug well water quality index as a panacea for sustainable healthy living in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba state, Nigeria. Ten (10) different hand-dug well water samples were studied for a period of six months (October- March). Various physicochemical parameters such as PH, EC, Turbidity, Total hardness, total dissolves solids, chlorides, sulphates, calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, fluorides and phosphates were assessed using standard methods and instruments recommended by WHO. The arithmetic index method was adopted to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI). The investigations revealed that Zing A1, Zing A2, Yakoko, Monkin A and Monkin B, Lamma, Bitako and Bubong hand-dug well water were not suitable for domestic uses, while Zing B and Dinding showed a very poor water quality for domestic uses and human consumptions. It was therefore recommended that alternative portable sources of drinking water for these communities be provided to avert contracting waterborne diseases and that regular monitoring be encouraged by authority concerns.