WATER QUALITY

The hazards that microplastic pollution have incurred ecologically has made it a key environmental concern. This study determined the occurrences of microplastics in the surface water taken from Ikpoba River in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of thirty (N=30) water samples were obtained from the period of August to September 2025. The samples were collected in glass bottles from both upstream and downstream areas of the river and then tested in the laboratory using standard methods. Eight different polymer types were identified from Station 1, 2, and 3 including, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polyvincyl Chloride (PVC) materials known for their potential toxic effects. The polymer composition of microplastics was confirmed using the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The result showed that microplastics were abundant in station 3, (40.35%) and was relatively low in station 1 (26.07%). The mean and standard error (S.E) indicated low concentrations of microplastics in the upstream (13.00 ± 1.58) and high concentrations in the downstream (20.12 ± 1.70). The findings indicate that microplastics pollution in the Ikpoba River may have potential ecological and human health implications due to long-term exposure and bioaccumulation in the aquatic environment. Consequently, it is important for government agencies and environmental regulators to improve waste management practices, adopt stricter regulations for plastic disposal, and scale up public awareness campaigns to mitigate plastic pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems and human populations.

Access to clean and safe water is fundamental to sustaining public health and ensuring community well-being. This study assessed the water quality and hygiene practices of households in Ogbelaka, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to determine the microbiological quality of household water, evaluate hygiene practices, and identify householdlevel factors contributing to contamination. A cross-sectional design was employed, combining field sampling and survey methods. Water samples from selected households were analyzed for thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli using standard microbiological procedures. Data on hygiene, sanitation, and water handling practices were collected through structured questionnaires. Results indicated that a significant proportion of water samples showed microbial contamination exceeding WHO permissible limits, highlighting risks of waterborne diseases. Many households relied on untreated or poorly treated water sources such as boreholes and wells, with inadequate storage and handling practices contributing to contamination. Hygiene practices, particularly handwashing with soap at critical times, were suboptimal, and household water treatment methods were inconsistently applied. The findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions that promote community- based water treatment, improved sanitation, and sustained hygiene education. The study concludes that strengthening local water management, behavioral change communication, and enforcement of water quality standards are crucial steps toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) in Ogbelaka and similar semi-urban communities.

This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of major drinking water sources in Amufi Community, Edo State, Nigeria, as well as household access and health outcome perceptions. Fifteen water samples were collected from boreholes, tap water, rainwater, and streams, while 220 households participated in a structured questionnaire survey. Laboratory analyses followed APHA (2017) standard procedures, and results were compared with WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2007) guidelines. Eight key parameters were measured, including pH, TSS, Na, NO₃⁻, Ca, Fe, EC, and TDS. Results showed that groundwater pH ranged from 4.71 to 5.82, falling below the WHO acceptable range of 6.5–8.5, while surface water from streams was neutral to slightly alkaline (8.00–8.27). Nitrate levels were critically high across all samples (42.36–81.20 mg/L), exceeding the 50 mg/L limit. Microbiological results revealed that 73% of samples had heterotrophic plate counts above 100 CFU/mL, with the highest co tamination in streams and some boreholes. Coliform bacteria were detected in 60% of samples, and isolates identified included Shigella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Corynebacterium spp. Household data indicated that 59.3% relied on tap water and 36.0% on boreholes, with only 42.9% treating water before use, mostly by boiling. Waterborne diseases were reported by 36% of respondents, mainly typhoid and diarrhoea. The study concludes that most drinking water sources in Amufi are unsafe for consumption, highlighting the urgent need for improved treatment, sanitation, and continuous monitoring to protect public health.

This study assessed the water quality of harvested rainfall in different parts of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, due to increasing dependence on rainwater as an alternative domestic water source amid erratic municipal supply. The research aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of harvested rainwater from three
communities—Ekosodin, BDPA, and Oluku—comparing direct rainfall and rooftop catchment sources. It further aimed to determine their Water Quality Index (WQI) using the Arithmetic weightage index model. Rainwater samples were systematically collected from pre-selected rooftops with different materials (corrugated iron, aluminum, and asbestos) and direct rainfall collectors. Standard laboratory methods were used for analyzing physicochemical parameters—pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), hardness, salinity, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, heavy metals (Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, V), and microbiological indicators. The results indicated that directly collected rainwater in all locations had excellent quality with pH (6.6–6.8), low EC (70–80 µS/cm), low TDS (41 45 mg/L), and negligible microbial contamination (0 CFU/mL). These samples had WQI values between 20 and 23, classifying them as “excellent” and safe for drinking and domestic use after minimal treatment such as filtration or boiling. However, rooftop-harvested rainwater showed slightly elevated concentrations of Fe (0.557 mg/L), Pb (0.026 mg/L), and Cd (0.01 mg/L).

Water quality assessment of Ashaka Community has been carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the prevalent parameters during wet and dry seasons respectively. The total of ten (10) samples; nine (9) groundwater and one (1) surface water sample(s) were collected at random to cover the area of study during both seasons. The results showed that pH, EC, Cl, TSS and alkalinity were the most prevalent parameters in both seasons. Furthermore, other parameters measured besides pH, E-Coli and Coliform counts were below the values set by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and World Health Organization (WHO). The high values of E-Coli and Coliform counts revealed the presence of biological contaminants in the water. The moderately acidic values obtained in the water samples and the high concentration of E-Coli and Coliform counts rendered the water unfit for drinking except routine treatment is administered( a neutralizing filter is used if drinking water is acidic to raise the pH to neutral synthetic magnesium oxide treats water with pH less than 6). However, the quality of water in the area can be used for crops production.

This project focuses on the effects of solid waste disposal effluent on the Ugboha River's water quality. Water samples from the river sources were taken for laboratory analysis as part of this research's effort to quantify the river's water quality and pollutant content. The total hardness, dissolved colloids, total solids (TS), iron content, turbidity, total sulphate (TS), pH, temperature, and conductivity were the quality criteria taken into account. The concentrations of pollutants in the river water were calculated using physical and chemical analyses performed on samples collected at the river's source. The findings show that total sulphate, magnesium, chloride, iron, and total hardness are among the water quality metrics that are found to be excessive, with average concentration loads of 12.0 mg/l, 18.8 mg/l, 41 mg, 2.0 mg/l, and 44 mg/l, respectively

Aquatic ecosystems are often subject to contamination by heavy metals due to human and natural activities. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals present in water, sediment and fish samples collected from Ikpoba River, Benin City, Nigeria. Samples were collected over from June to August 2023 and analysed using standard methods. The findings showed that while Cd and Pb were not detected in the water, Ni and Cr exceeded permissible limits. However, the concentrations of Co were within limits. Sediment samples had comparatively low heavy metal content. Benthic fish were found to have higher concentrations of heavy metals than pelagic fish. However, the concentrations of these metals in the samples were below the recommended limits for heavy metals in food. Therefore, it was concluded that the fish in the study area are safe for consumption but the water is not. Hence, routine surveillance and implementation of measures to protect water quality such as prevention of waste discharge are recommended

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the drinking water quality for four residential locations at the University of Benin, Benin City, Ugbowo Campus by carrying out physical and chemical analysis on water samples and access their safety by calculating their water quality index values and comparing with those of the Nigerian Standard of Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), and World Health Organization (WHO). Acomprehensive physical and chemical assessment was conducted on water samples collected from four residential areas within the University of Benin: Senior Staff Quarters (SSQ), NDDC Quarters, Junior Staff Quarters (JSQ), and Hall 4 Hostel. Key water quality parameters analyzed included pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), mineral content, and the presence of heavy metals. Heavy metal analysis was performed using an air-acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Water samples from the Junior Staff Quarters had better physical parameters while water samples at the hall 4 residence had the least quality in comparison to SON and WHO standard. However, all water samples were found to be acidic according to their pH values of 5.1 5.2, 5.4 and 5.3 for SSQ, NDDC, JSQ, Hall 4 Hostel respectively. The result gotten from water quality index calculation was 68.076, 97.10, 97.59, 94.60 for SSQ, NDDC, JSQ, Hall 4 hostel respectively.The water sample for SSQ is poor, for NDDC is bad, for JSQ is bad and that for Hall 4 Hostel is very bad