Rapid Assessment of Reservoir Water Quality and Suitability indices for Irrigation purpose: A Case Study of Ero and Ele Reservoirs in Ekiti State Nigeria
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The quality of water determines its usage for any intended purpose. The quality of the surface water in Ero and Ele reservoirs located in Ekiti State, South–West of Nigeria were assessed for their suitability for irrigation purpose. These reservoirs supplies drinking water to nearby towns and will also be used for irrigating the new Ero and Ele irrigation schemes covering a total 1600 hectares. Surface water samples were collected in six (6) sampling points for the purpose of assessing its suitability for irrigating the new proposed Ele and Ero irrigation schemes. The samples were collected during the dry season in March 2013. Irrigation surface water quality samples were analysed by standard methods for hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS) and important cations such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium as well as anions such as bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates. The water samples were also analysed for Sodium Percentage (SP) and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). The overall results indicated the suitability of both reservoir waters for agricultural use.
Keywords: Surface (Reservoir) Water Quality, Irrigation Development, Ero and Ele, Ekiti State, Nigeria