ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN RURAL NORTHERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF DIGGI VILLAGE IN KEBBI STATE

Abstract

SDG goal, was to achieve access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. An important strategy to achieve these 
goals was to obtain up-to-date information of water sources and their quality, especially the rural areas. This study 
assesses and provides such information on the typical sources and quality of drinking water available in a northern 
Nigeria rural community, most of which still lack infrastructure for effective treatment and distribution. Water 
samples from three wells and two boreholes were collected, analysed in-situ and in the laboratory for quality – 
physico-chemical, heavy metals and bacteriological parameters using appropriate methods. The pH was within 
acceptable limit (5.64 – 7.77) except in the well located at Illela. Although the conductivity (12.6-435.0 µs/cm), 
TDS (7.45-261 mg/l), alkalinity (10.0-12 mg/l) and chloride (1.9-45.9) values were lower than the recommended 
WHO ranges, the values could affect acceptability of the water. The well in Kofar Yamma recorded high lead values 
(0.09 mg/l) as well as chromium (0.08 mg/l) and arsenic (0.06 mg/l). The five water sources have very poor 
microbiologic quality with records of E. coli in all the samples. Boiling, chlorination and better hygiene practice was 
recommended for the village community.