Abstract

The pollution of drinking and potable water sources due to mining activities in Ishiagu District of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, by non-metallic inorganic and organic pollutants was investigated. Water samples were abstracted from the Ivo River (IR), Ishiagu Central School borehole (IB), Amaokwe General Hospital borehole (AB), Amaeke community well (AW₁) and Amata community well (AW₂). The Ivo River courses through the areas of metal deposits and intensive mining activities at Ishiagu. The parameters analysed for were pH, conductivity, colour, odour, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total alkalinity, total acidity, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, NO₃^- PO₄^3-, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results showed that all the water sources had PO₄^3- concentrations exceeding WHO’s tolerance limit, and the river water source was unwholesome for consumption due to high acidity; BOD and COD values for the well water sources do not support life and had high total solids (TS) and conductivity, while the borehole sources, though showing moderate to high conductivities and TS, seemed most suitable for consumption.

Key words: Pollution, mining, Ishiagu, tolerance limits, NAFDAC.