ABSTRACT

Quality assessment of water is not only for suitability for human consumption but also in relation to its agricultural, recreational, and commercial uses, and its ability to sustain aquatic life. A total of 18 water samples collected from three station along Imo River were analyzed for various water quality parameters during rainy seasons of 2014 (June) and dry season of 2015 (January). This was done to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation. The study involved the determination of bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters using standard methods. The mean values of dry and rainy seasons parameters obtained are Turbidity: 47.12 NTU and 25.74 NTU, EC: 141.17i.is/cmand 33.88 is/cm, TDS: 473.44 mg/l and 398.67 mg/i, pH: 6.26 and 6.41, CaCO3: 211mg/I and 236.11 mg/i, Mn: 0.78 mg/l and 0.14 mg/i, Cu: 0.72mg/I and 0.1267 mg/I, Na:14.60 mg/I and 12.17 mg/i, Ca: 47.36 mg/i and 69.22 mg/I ,Mg; 149 mg/i and 140.89 mg/i, Fe:2.04 mg/i and 1.04 mg/i, Pb: 0.06 mg/i and 0.020 mg/i, Zn: 0.03mg/I and 0.01 mg/I, DO: 6.56 mg/i and 2.69 mg/i, BOD: 12.78 mg/i and 6.64 mg/I, and SAR: 0.23, 0.17 ,0.23, 0.17, 0.17, and 0.22. These values were compared with Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) standards. The river was found to be highly polluted in the dry season than in the rainy season and was slightly acidic in both seasons. The application of principal component anaiysis and factor analysis on the data revealed four sources of pollution, namely: organic and anthropogenic activities, agricultural and residential runoff, nutrient source, and meterological factor. These sources were traced to various human activities taking place along the river channel. It is recommended that, the water be treated before consumption but may provide good source for irrigation of some agricultural crops especially those that are not consumed raw.