Authors:
Malum , J. Flayin*, Damwesh, S. Habakkuk and Adgidzi Donald, Nigeria
|
Abstract:
Water is one of the most plentiful and essential compound for living organisms and plants all
over the world. Millions of people in other parts of the world struggles with problems of water
supply during periods of low rainfall and dry season where water supply is extremely low. Rural
communities especially in Africa who dwell around seasonal streams rely on sand dams. Sand
dams store water in shallow depths along dry stream and river beds, are fetched by scooping out
sand. An assessment of existence of sand dams in some communities in the outskirt of Makurdi,
Benue State was done. Riverbeds used as viable sand dams were identified; 16 physico-chemical
parametres were analyzed to determine the water quality. Turbidity, TC, Fe and Mn, were above
the threshold, pH, Cl, Ca, Mg, K, were within the threshold limit and TDS, Nitrate, TH, EC,
were within acceptable limits. The overall water quality index was found to be 22.89 which is
rated as very poor quality. It is recommended that water from sand dams be treated before it is
use for drinking and domestic uses. Sand dams should be constructed using modernized
structures to increase water storage which will invariably provide and preserve enough clean
water throughout the dry season. |
