Abstract

The challenges of high quality water for domestic use and particularly for potability must be overcome in its entire ramification for health and ecological environment. The aim of this study is to identify the conditions of domestic water sources in Ado-Ekiti. One water sample was drawn from the two different sources of water, that is, shallow well and Ureje River at Ureje, and two samples from one water source, that is, borehole at Ilupeju and  ABUAD in Ado-Ekiti. Water samples were analyzed in the Laboratory. Parameters including turbidity, pH, jar, hardness, calcium hardness and alkalinity were determined. Results revealed that the water samples drawn from borehole were of good quality following WHO reference guidelines, whereas, for water from well in Ureje and from river in Ureje, the concentration of these parameters exceeded WHO reference guidelines. It can be concluded that water obtained from Ureje River and that from well in Ureje are unsuitable for drinking (based respectively on colour, turbidity, odour, jar and hardness as well as pH, jar, turbidity, colour, and odour). However, pH, calcium and alkalinity are good following WHO reference guidelines. Further, well in Ureje contained water which is suitable for drinking and domestic uses. Samples drawn from borehole were the most suitable following WHO reference guidelines. However, further improvement is required. Detailed studies revealing the underlying reason for drop in quality of deep groundwater in the study area are required.

Key words: Ecological, potability, groundwater, borehole, parameters, wells.