Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics of River Landzun and River Umaru in Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

Access to clean and safe drinking water is critical for the health and well-being of any community. In Bida, Niger State, the quality of surface water sources is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities such as open defecation and the washing of clothes, motorcycles, and utensils directly in the rivers, as well as surface runoff from surrounding areas. This study compares the potability of water from River Landzun and River Umaru, with the objective of identifying potential pollution sources and evaluating water quality based on key physicochemical parameters. Samples were collected from each river at locations of use within the community. The physicochemical properties were analyzed, and the results were compared against the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The findings revealed that most parameters in both rivers were not within the permissible limits for potable water. Specifically, turbidity ranged from 31.4 to 58.1 NTU, TSS from 180 to 340 mg/L, TDS from 230 to 602 mg/L, BOD from 23 to 28 mg/L, and DO from 3.10 to 5.20 mg/L. However, hardness levels (30 to 100 mg/L), color (10 Hazen), and taste were within acceptable standards. These results indicate that the water in both rivers is not safe for direct human consumption. The study recommends regular monitoring of river water quality, improved public awareness, and the implementation of sustainable waste management and environmentally friendly practices.