ABSTRACT

 The physico-chemical, microbiological and heavy metal quality of drinking well water in Nsukka local government area Enugu was carried out. Water samples were randomly collected from four different locations in Ehandiagu-Ehalumona community and were analysed. The physico-chemical properties has results that ranges as follows: colour; 1.880 (Ikpulor) to 2.810 TCU (Otonovu) , turbidity; 0.001 (Ikpulor) to 0.003 NTU (Otonovu), Total Alkalinty; 73.710 (Otonovu) to 85.830 mg/1 (Ikpulor), total hardness; 9.890 (Ikpulor) to 15/660 mg/1 (Otonovu), calcium hardness; 6.515 (Ikpulor) to 9.325mg/l (Otonovu), magnesium hardness; 3.335 (Otonovu) to 5.465 mg/1 (Ezeakpu), choride; 1.190 (Elufi) to 1.610 mg/1 (Otonovu), nitrate; 0.057 (ikpulor) to 1.035 mg/1 (Ezeakpu), dissolved oxygen; 5.525 (Otonovu) to 6.290 mg/1 (Ezeakpu), biochemical oxygen demand; 5.290 (Otonovu) to 6.125 mg/1 (Ezeakpu), chemical oxygen demand; 7.870 (Ikpulor) to 11.625mg/l (Otonovu), free carbondioxide; 7.435 (Ikpulor) to 8.780 mg/1 (Ezeakpu), the taste and odour were unobjectionable in all the samples. Various heavy metals were analysed which includes; lead, cadmium, zinc and arsenic and their concentrations ranged as follows: lead; 0.026 (Otonovu) to 0.047mg/l (Ikpulor), cadmium; 0.009 (Ezeakpu) to 0.021 mg/1 (Ikpulor), zinc; 0.665 (ezeakpu) to 0.880 mg/1 (Elufi), Arsenic; 0.000 to 0.055 mg/1 (Elufi). Microbiological results ranged as follows: Escherichai coli species; 0.00 (Otonovu) to 2.65 logioCfu/ml (Elufi), Escherichai coli 0157:H7; 0.00 to 3.00 logioCfu/ml (Ezeakpu), Shigella-, 0.00 (Otonovu) to 2.65 logioCfu/ml (Elufi) and Salmonella typhimurium-, 0.00 to 3.63 logioCfu/ml (Elufi). It is concluded that the well water samples are physico-chemically good for human consumption as all the parameters conformed to WHO drinking water quality standard. It is also concluded that the concentrations of heavy metals in the water conformed to the WHO standard and will pose no harm to the consumer. The water generally are not microbiologically safe as some of the water samples were found to be contaminated with Escherichai coli species, Escherichai coli 0157:H7, Shigella and Salmonella. The water samples failed to meet the zero (0) coliform per 100ml set by WHO except the sample from Otonovu. It is recommended that the waters should be subjected to treatments specifically boiling before consumption.