WATER QUALITY OF A FISH POND, CASE STUDY OF FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE FISH FARM.

This study assessed the water quality of the fish pond located at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, with the aim of determining its Water Quality Index (WQI) and proposing environmentally sustainable alternative uses in the event of water exchange or discharge. The study was carried out in response to the growing need for scientific evaluation of aquaculture effluents, which, if improperly managed, may cause ecological degradation through nutrient enrichment, heavy metal buildup, and microbial contamination. The research therefore sought to evaluate the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of the pond water, compute its WQI using the Arithmetic Weightage Index Model, and recommend safe reuse or disposal options. Water samples were collected from two ponds (Sample A and Sample B) representing five-day and thirteen-day retention periods respectively. Laboratory analyses were performed in the Civil Engineering Hydraulics/Water Laboratory following APHA (2017) standard methods to determine parameters such as pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), etc. The obtained data were analyzed using the Arithmetic Weightage Index Model, where individual parameter values were compared against WHO (2017) and FAO (2011) standards to derive the overall WQI and corresponding water quality grades The results showed that Sample A, with a WQI of 20.41, was classified as Excellent, indicating that the pond water met acceptable limits. Sample B, with a WQI of 51.69, fell under the Poor category, signifying moderate pollution resulting from prolonged water retention, organic enrichment, and higher microbial counts. Consequently, while Sample A water could be reused or safely discharged without treatment, Sample B water required simple treatment such as aeration or sedimentation prior to reuse or discharge. The study concluded that proper monitoring of water quality and periodic application of the WQI approach are vital for sustainable aquaculture management. It recommended regular effluent testing, adoption of low cost pre-treatment systems, and reuse of treated pond water for agricultural irrigation or secondary aquaculture to reduce environmental pollution and promote resource conservation.