Application of Water Quality Index to Assess Suitability of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purposes in Kaltungo and Environs, North-East Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 30 groundwater samples were collected from Hand dug Wells and Bore holes at Kaltungo area and environs aimed at assessing the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes using water quality index (WQI). 15 parameters were considered for calculating the WQI: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, Sulphate, nitrate, iron, pH, Total Hardness, Conductivity, TDS, fluoride, and phosphate. The computed value of WQI for the samples ranges from 46.68 to 176.24 with an average value of 84.35. The majority of groundwater samples estimated fall in good category (86%) others fall in excellent category (4%) indicating groundwater is fit for drinking purposes although (10%) of the water fall in poor water category. Therefore, (90%) fall in the acceptable water class and thus, suitable for drinking purposes.  But, the groundwater quality needs further investigations to see if there exists threat in its quality as far as irrigation activities is undertaking.