keywords: Heavy metal, pollution, groundwater, maximum contamination level, AAS
In this study, heavy metal contamination of the groundwater at Ota/Sango Ota areas of Ogun State was analyzed. Forty borehole water samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for their Copper, Lead and Cadmium content and their levels compared with WHO specified maximum Control level. The maximum concentration of copper and lead in the samples analyzed is 0.383 and 2.184 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of the copper is within the WHO limit (1.0 mg/L) while that of lead is higher than 0.005 mg/L specified by WHO. The results show that the samples contained lead, which suggests a significant risk to the population since bore hole is the only source of their water supply.