CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Water is very important for human development, and therefore, adequate, safe and regular
supply is a major concern. The sustainable and proper management of water and sanitation is
essential for everyone in the accomplishment of the sustainable development goal (SDG 6)
for water (UNICEF & WHO, 2019). It is worth to suggest that; the availability of water and
its access and supply are unequally across the world populations (Ashaiman&Morinville,
2014). The SDG 6 is to secure a comprehensive and easy accessibility to safe and portable
drinking water supplies. The target is tracked with “how drinking water supplies and
distribution are adequately managed to ensure good water quality”, access with easily
available means of getting drinking water that is contaminants free (UNICEF & WHO,
2019). In many African countries, safe drinking water supply is a major concern including
Nigeria.

Underground water is the water deposited through the permeable layers into the ground,
where it accumulates on a solid layer, thus forming the underground reservoirs. This water
may come from rain, irrigation channels (rivers), surface tanks, irrigation water in excess of
the field capacity or snow, and gradually seeps into the ground. Through ¼ mm, it continues
in perpetual motion forming the so-called groundwater (Sala, 2008). Groundwater is
considered one of the most important water resources, especially in terms of scarcity of water
resources, especially in the surface arid and semi-arid areas. Although groundwater is less
susceptible to pollution than surface water due to its presence under the surface of the earth,
which limits the access of many polluting materials to it, but when polluted, it is difficult to
treat and takes a long time to return to normal and may not return, depending on the type of
pollutant. The quality of groundwater is one of the important indicators in determining the
suitability of water for different purposes, which is affected by several factors such as:
leakage from sewage networks, garbage dumps, fertilizers used in agricultural activities, and
water interference from saline water sources that are in hydraulic contact with water, the air
reservoir (Laila, 2018). One of the most important uses of groundwater is its use in drinking
water. Drinking water is considered one of the most important vectors of diseases in the event
of its contamination with sewage wells, because of its close association with humans, as it
can be a source of epidemics and diseases. This pollution occurs as a result of the leakage of
human or animal waste into groundwater, and leads to pollution Water, especially bacteria,
leads to infection with many infectious diseases, and one of the most important types of
bacteria that are considered evidence of contamination of water with sewage or sewage wells
is the Escherichia coli bacteria). And its contamination with sewage wells is one of the
greatest risks, because it is used for drinking, irrigation and other purposes, and there are
factors that have led to an increase in the demand for groundwater, including population
growth, industrial development and the expansion of agriculture, so groundwater is
considered here as the main source for meeting human needs in general (Intisar, 2018).

Biu is a town and a Local Government Area in Southern Borno State of Nigeria. The town is
the administrative center of the Local Government Area and was once the capital of the Biu
kingdom, and is now the capital of Biu Emirate. Biu lies on the Biu plateau at an average
elevation of 626 meters. The region is semi-arid (NAUB student handbook 2019).

Recently, the population of Biu local government has increased due to the establishment of a
Nigerian Army University, which lead to an increased in dump waste and refuse materials in
the environment. Another issue of concern is the presence of toilet sewage pits being close to
or right next to water boreholes. Ocheri et al (2014), Okoro et al (2010), Aniebonam (2015)
and Iyi et al (2020) noted that heavy metals, dumpsites, leachate and effects of season leads
to increase in pollution and contamination of groundwater system. Access to fresh water is an
irreplaceable need facing civilization all over the world. Groundwater constitutes the only
reliable water supply for irrigation and drinking purposes in the study area.

The deterioration of water quality is often slow and not readily noticeable as the water system
adapt to the changes until an apparent alteration of the water occurs (Zahraa, 2012). It
therefore becomes necessary to monitor the borehole water quality around AbogoLargema
Cantonment dumpsites and toilet sewage pits in order to ensure availability of quality water
for domestic purpose. Therefore, there is need to carry out water quality assessment in the
study area in order to determine the physic-chemical properties and its portability for
domestic and other purposes of water.

1.1 Aims and Objectives

1.1.1 Aims

This research aims To assess the quality of water from ten selected wells and boreholes close
to dumpsites and toilet sewage pits or suck-aways in Biu local government.
1.2.2 Objectives

The aim of this study will be achieved by carrying out the following objectives:

 Identifying the boreholes close to dumpsites and toilet sewage pits or suck-aways in
the study area.
 Collecting water samples from some of these wells or boreholes to the laboratory for
analysis.
 Comparing the obtained results with that of Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water
Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO) standard.
 Making possible recommendations in respect of the obtained results.
1.2 Statement of the Problem

In Nigeria, it is a common practice to have dumpsites and toilet sewage pits or suck-away
within residential areas. With time these dumpsites and toilet sewage pits or suck-away
produce leachates which infiltrate into the ground and contaminate the groundwater in these
communities.

Maintenance of groundwater quality has been a major problem in Nigerian cities. The rapid
increase in population witnessed in Biu since the creation of NAUB, has led to an increase in
waste generation; the disposal of which has been poorly managed. Many residents in the
Barrack have poor access to safe water and sanitation services while various households are
predominated by pit and cesspool latrines. About seventy-five percent (75%) of the urban
households in Nigeria make use of either pit or privy latrines. This situation is still obviously
observable in Biu. The predominant use of pit latrines, privies and cesspool water closet toilet
leading to the construction of underground septic tanks lead tomicrobial contamination of
drinking water wells and boreholes through underground water flow.

Contamination of urban groundwater by seepages and leakages from sewage pits and
channels is an increasing matter of public and regulatory concern, as the migration of sludge-
borne pathogens through soils into groundwater has been highlighted by environmentalists.
Proximity of septic tanks to wells and unhygienic usage of the wells are presumed to be the
commonest causes of well water pollution (Zahraa, 2012). Disposal of solid or liquid wastes
in pits, abandoned boreholes or even stream channels and landfills may also serve as sources
of groundwater pollution (Ashaiman&Morinville, 2014).

1.3 Scope of the Study

Although many researches have been done in other jurisdictions to investigate the water
quality from underground water, no similar or same study has been conducted in
AbogoLargeme Cantonment. Therefore, as a means to scopethis study, the researcher
intendeds to assess the overall physical, chemical and biological qualities of water supplied to
AbogoLargema Barrack, based on Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ)
and World Health Organization (WHO) standard guideline for drinking water standards and
to recommend feasible strategies for remediation and treatment of general and specific cases.

Therefore, the scope of this study is to investigate water quality from the study area in order
verify its safety for domestic use.

1.1 Justification

This study will create public awareness on the effects of improper refuse dumping and toilet
sewage pits or suck-away within residential areas. The study will also verify if the presence
of dumpsites and toilet sewage pits near boreholes have effect on physiochemical properties
and its portability for domestic and other purposes of water.

Outbreaks of waterborne diseases have been significantly associated with the consumption of
contaminated water, mainly from private and community wells and boreholes. It is a matter
of history that pollution of drinking water caused water borne diseases which wiped out entire
population of cities. At present, polluted water has amplified the menace of water borne
diseases and epidemics, which is still high in developing countries like Nigeria. The
proximity of sewage pits (such as pit latrines and septic tanks) and channels have been
considered a major contributing factor to the contamination of underground water.

As it is that most households should compulsorily have sewage pits and water wells in the
same compound, concerns are thus growing over the sustainability of such individual water
sources and there is a growing need for management strategies that recognize the complex
linkages that exist between groundwater supplies and sewage disposal in septic tanks
(Ashaiman&Morinville, 2014). Assessment of good drinking water is therefore very crucial
to safeguard public health and the environment, most especially in areas where sewage pits
are in proximity to wells and boreholes. as it is important to achieving potable water for daily
consumption and sustainability of drinking water sources.
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