Surface water quality assessment of Warri metropolis using water quality index

The quality of the surface water (rivers) around Warri metropolis was evaluated using Water Quality Index (WQI) techniques. The study was carried out to assess the suitability of the water samples collected from different river bodies’ around Warri metropolis. The water quality index (WQI) was determined based on their various physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolves solids, total suspended solids, sulphates, nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demanded. The water quality indexes values obtained varied greatly from 110.12 to 821.5. The result is quite high due to high turbidity (9mg/l – 119mg/l) and total suspended solid (10mg/l – 124mg/l). The presence of faecal coliform in the various water bodies is very alarming which ranges from 2 – 16 cfu against the stated standard of nil by most regulatory agencies and as such may pose detrimental health effect when consumed by individuals within those areas if not properly treated. This may be due to poor waste management practice along the river's course. To avert this process, effective waste management and control along the water course should be encouraged.