Quality of Harvested Rainwater in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Pages : 1162-1166Download PDF
There is atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases with increasing urbanisation. This contributes to environmental pollution and the quality of rainwater so poses great risks to people who depend on this source of water supply. Hence, the objective of the present study is to analyse the quality of harvested rainwater in different locations in Owerri, Imo state an increasing urban city. Water samples were collected from Douglas road, Imo Housing Estate, New Owerri, Orji and Eziobodo. The physical, chemical and microbial quality of the harvested rainwater were analysed in the laboratory using standard procedures. The laboratory results were compared to permissible water quality level as recommended by WHO. The comparative parameters analysis shows that the rainwater samples collected were not within permissible limits. The THPC (38.25 ± 22.11), TFC (20.50 ± 1.91), colour (56.23 ± 14.59), turbidity (23.92 ± 6.20), phosphate (25.03 ± 20.32), sulphate (484.81 ± 115.02), phosphorus (8 ± 6.59), iron (2.12 ± 1.79), aluminium (1.70 ± 1.83) and lead (0.44 ± 0.36) were significantly high. Escherichia coli was not detected. Wind – blown dirt, air pollution leaves, faecal droppings from birds and animals on roofing materials contributed to the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of the harvested rainwater. It is recommended that the harvested rainwater be treated properly before use.
Keywords: Harvested Rainwater, environmental pollution, quality assessment, comparative analysis