Abstract

Chemical contaminants from animal droppings and other organic wastes, nonpoint source (NPS) runoff and abattoir waste water at the municipality cattle market/slaughter lot, Uyo, Nigeria, which increased detritus litter or are leached to ground water, were investigated on the facility borehole and adjacent stream water. Statistical analysis of samples’ physico-chemical composition using SPSS ver 17 package, paired-sample statistics and correlation with WHO standards for drinking water,  Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) (FAO) irrigation water quality and soil extract from the polluted soil of bush fallow and cattle market ground were performed. Paired-samples t-statistics showed no significant difference (p < 0.01) between borehole and stream water, but registered varying compatibility (-50 to 100%) with WHO maximum limits for some water properties. Both sources of water were significantly free from the polluting influence of the organic waste runoff and abattoir waste water. Also, no significant correlation (p < 0.10) existed between the properties of stream water and abattoir waste water, borehole water and soil extract from the polluted market ground, suggesting that the two water sources may have been buffered from the pollution effect of the organic waste by the adjacent natural bush fallow; therefore, its upgrading is recommended for effective riparian buffering activities.

Key words: Cattle market/slaughter, abattoir waste water, NPS runoff, pollution, surface /ground water quality, World Health Organisation (WHO) compatibility.