Abstract

This study examined the hydro-geological characteristics and groundwater quality of four communities in Abeokuta, South-Western Nigeria. Water samples were collected from 18 sampling points, comprising of shallow wells and boreholes in the four communities, with four geophysical surveys done each community. Tests were carried out in the water samples for heavy metals (zinc, cadmium, arsenic, iron and lead) and physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, sodium and potassium). The geophysical examination revealed that the depths of all the wells were below the standard recommended depth for deep wells in the basement complex area. Generally water samples do not conform to WHO maximum desirable standard, especially for parameters like Zn, Pb and Cd, but were still within the highest desirable levels recommended by WHO and NAFDAC. This meant that the water, from which the samples were taken, needed to be subjected to treatment before drinking.

Key words: Geophysical survey, portable water, shallow wells, boreholes, heavy metals.