SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF SOME

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF

WATARI RESERVOIR, TREATED AND

POTABLE WATER, IN KANO STATE

NIGERIA.

*Adamu, G.A; Sallau, M.S; Idris, S.O; and Agbaji, E.B*Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Kano State Polytechnic

Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

*Correspondent author e-mail – galhadamu@yahoo.com +2348062894269

Presented at ICAPAS Conference Dynasty Hotel,

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, on 3rd and 4th Nov. 2014 1

Introduction Dams are structural barriers built to obstruct or

control the flow of water into rivers and

streams. Reservoirs have many purposes in

Nigeria.

Due to increased population, industrialization,

use of fertilizers in agriculture and man-made

activities, the natural aquatic environment is

increasingly polluted leading to depletion of

aquatic biota and water quality.

2

Introduction…Contd.

Impairment of water quality in reservoirs

arises largely from anthropogenic

contamination and natural mineralization

[16].

The physical and chemical parameters serve

as pollution indicators in water quality

monitoring which is a fundamental tool in the

management of fresh water resources.

3

Potable Water Water treatment process include

sedimentation, filtration,

coagulation/ flocculation and the

essential pretreatment.

Drinking water is water that is

intended to be ingested by

humans . Estimates suggest

that nearly 1.5 billion people

lack safe drinking water and that

at least 5 million deaths per year

can be attributed to water borne

diseases 4

Aims of the Research

Identifying trends in water quality over

time,

Identifying emerging water quality

problems,

monitoring the quality of Watari reservoir,

Kano state Nigeria for drinking water

purpose

5

Pollution of The Kano Environment Wastes are disposed indiscriminately especially

for small and medium scale industries andtherefore proposes constant river watermonitoring as a step towards pollution abatement.

Many researchers [8], [3], [10] postulate thethreat of pollution on the quality of waterresources in Kano state and the need tomonitor and evaluate the quality of watermeant for human consumption.

6

Study Area Kano state covering a perimeter extending

between latitudes of 120 40’ and 100 30’ and

longitudes of 70 40’ and 90 30’ [2].

Bagwai (Watari) dam is located in Bagwai

local government area, Kano state, Nigeria

on 12°9'24"N 8°8'12"E [14].

The Reservoir have a capacity of 104.55

million cubic meters) serving a total

population of about 117,000 people of Bichi,

Bagwai and Northern districts of Kano state.

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Fig. I: Map of Watari Reservoir showing the sampling sites

8

Materials and Method

Sampling Sites

Reservoir: 1litre of water was collected fromfive points at each of the five sampling stationswhere rivers meet the reservoir (Figure I).Kankani (Bagwai river), Gogori (Watari river),Tabanni (Wuyan kanyi), spill way and center ofthe reservoir.

Treated Water: five samples were collectedfrom the new water treatment plant at Bagwaitown.

Potable Water: 1 liter of water was collecteddirectly from the tap at five stations (towns)Bagwai (Ramin Abashe), Kasuwar Laraba,Madawaki, Gurdo and Jan ruwa.

The sampling was repeated for three seasonsduring the study period.

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Methodology

Physical parameters temperature, total

dissolved solids, conductivity, turbidity

and suspended solids; chemical

parameters. pH, total hardness, DO,

BOD, Cl-, NO2-, NO3

-, COD, and PO43-

were analyzed using standard methods

and procedures [7],[13]. Some of the

parameters were determined in the field

using pre-calibrated hand held

equipment.10

Results and DiscussionFig. II: Mean values of Physical and Chemical Parameters for Cold Season

(Standard Units)

0.0000

100.0000

200.0000

300.0000

400.0000

500.0000

600.0000

Co

ncen

trati

on

(S

td U

nit

s)

RESERVIOR

TREATED

PORTABLE

11

Fig. III: Mean Values of Physical and Chemical

Parameters for Dry Season (Standard Units)

0.0000

20.0000

40.0000

60.0000

80.0000

100.0000

120.0000

140.0000

160.0000

180.0000

Co

ncen

trati

on

(S

TD

UN

ITS

)

RESERVIOUR

TREATED

PORTABLE

12

Fig. IV: Mean Values of Physical and Chemical

Parameters for Rainy Season (Standard Units)

0.0000

50.0000

100.0000

150.0000

200.0000

250.0000

300.0000

350.0000

400.0000

Co

ncen

trati

on

(S

TD

UN

ITS

)

RESERVIOUR

TREATED

PORTABLE

13

Fig. V: Mean Values of Seasonal variation of Physical and

Chemical Parameters for Watari Reservoir (Std. Units)

COLD RESERVOIR

RAINY RESERVO1R

0.0000

100.0000

200.0000

300.0000

400.0000

500.0000

600.0000

COLD RESERVOIR

DRY RESERVOIR

RAINY RESERVO1R

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Fig. VI: Mean Values of Seasonal variations of Physical and

Chemical Parameters for Watari Treated Water (Std. Units)

COLD TREATED

RAINY TREATED

0.00000

20.00000

40.00000

60.00000

80.00000

100.00000

120.00000

140.00000

160.00000

180.00000

COLD TREATED

DRY TREATED

RAINY TREATED

15

Fig. VII: Mean Values Seasonal variations of Physical and

Chemical Parameters for Watari Potable Water (Std. Units)

COLD PORTABLE

RAINY…

0.00000

20.00000

40.00000

60.00000

80.00000

100.00000

120.00000

COLD PORTABLE

DRY PORTABLE

RAINY PORTABLE

16

Conclusion The overall quality assessment of Watari reservoir

shows that most of the parameters are within the

WHO and NIS recommended values for drinking

water quality with few exceptions.

The treated water was found to have excellent

quality indicating efficiency of the treatment

process.

However, slight increase in the values of some

parameters at the consumer end (potable water)

may point to possible leakages along the supply

lines and deserve attention of the authorities

concerned.

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