ABSTRACT

 A study was carried out to determine the suitability of harvested rain water from selected ages of roofs for domestic purposes at Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government area of Anambra state. The ages are between the ranges of 0-10, 11-20, 21-30 years. Three samples were collected from each of the roof for three months: May, June and July. The temperatures and electrical conductivity were recorded at the point of collection. Some of the parameters determined were: Temperature, pH, Odour, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Chloride, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Copper, Total hardness, Biochemical oxygen demand, (Microorganisms) etc. The results obtained from the laboratory analysis of the water samples were compared with the control and the WHO recommended standards for drinking water. Mean values of the results obtained from the roof ages 0-10, 11-20,21-30 respectively were Temperature (°c) 25.63,25.54,25.57; Turbidity(NTU):5.37,8.83,14.69; Electrical conductivity(.ts/cm): 113.03, 152.52, 193.45; pH: 7.32, 7.18, 6.91; Total hardness (mg/l): 35.46, 37.38, 39.18; Dissolved oxygen (mg/l):8.13, 7.48, 7.25; Total dissolved solids (mg/l): 37.42, 45.43, 49.07; Total suspended solids (mg/i): 50.81, 79.76, 86.24; Biochemical oxygen demand (mg/i): 2.65, 3.28, 4.35; Nitrate (mg/i) :2.00, 2.78, 3.04; Chloride (mg/l) : 4.59, 4.92, 5.44; Copper (mg/l) :0.00, 0.01, 0.02; Iron (mg/i) : 0.03, 0.04, 0.04; Magnesium (mg/i) :0.00, 0.00, 0.00; , Calcium (mg/i): 0.01, 0.01, 0.02; Zinc (mg/l): 0.05, 0.03, 0.05; Sulphate (mg/i) :3.40, 3.76, 3.85; E-coii (mg/i): 0.01, 0.01, 0.03; Total coliform count (mg/l): 0.00, 0.01, 0.02. All the resuits compared with the WHO standards except for; E-coli, Chioride, Dissolved oxygen and turbidity who had values above the recommended standards. It is therefore recommended that treatment of the water should be done by aeration, followed by flitration with the advanced chemical treatment process.