Abstract

The study assessed the water quality of River Ethiope at three stations: Umuaja, Abraka and Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria between November, 2018 and October, 2019 with a view to establishing the parameters relative to the standard of world bodies like World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The parameters determined were water temperature, air temperature, water level, speed, transparency, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDs), dissolved oxygen (DO), total alkalinity, nitrate, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium following quality control and assurance procedures and using ANALAR grade reagents. The results indicated that minimal monthly variations in physicochemical parameters existed in the three locations. The speed was higher at Abraka and lowest at Amukpe. The pH was generally low across locations throughout the study period. Dissolved oxygen was higher at Abraka location followed by Amukpe while Umuaja had the least amount of Dissolved Oxygen. The level of alkalinity was high during the period of study in the three locations. No significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in the three locations but the level of phosphorus was higher in Abraka location followed by Umuaja and Amukpe locations. The levels of calcium were significantly lower at Umuaja locations when compared with values obtained at Abraka and Amukpe locations. The levels of magnesium followed the same trend as those of calcium, but the values are however higher than those of calcium when compared with world water standards using FAO. The study buttressed earlier claims that the water met world standard in terms of water quality. The present study has contributed to water resources development; a necessity in the health sector. The present study also has the advantage of providing opportunity for monitoring changes in the physical and chemical properties of the river water system thus influencing the socio economic activities of communities found in the immediate vicinity of the river and beyond.