Assessment of the Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Water in Hand Dug Wells within Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Jos Metropolis is struggling to cope with serious water shortage and the inadequacy of the existing water infrastructure. There has been no sufficient supply of pipe borne water to Jos Metropolis. Majority of people living within the environment depend on water from hand dug wells for their water needs. Physical, chemical and bacteriological evaluation of twenty one hand dug well water employing standard method was carried out with a view to characterize and ascertain their portability. The physical analysis revealed that pH ranged from 6.00—7.60 (av. 6.66) indicating almost neutral water. Electrical Conductivity (EC) of 708.00 – 989.00 (av.894.33) μS/cm and TH of 18.00 – 570.00 mg/L, revealed soft water with low dissolved solid Result of the chemical analysis showed that Ca2+ ranged from 58.00 – 91.00 (av.73.90) mg/L, Mg2+ from 0.00 – 3.02 (av. 0.18) mg/L, Na+ from 90.00 – 150.00 (av118.7) mg/L and K+ from 6.00 – 17.00 (av. 9.14) mg/L. This study revealed that the well water samples analyzed in the study area indicated that most of the parameters are within the approved WHO standards for drinking water except for the samples from wells No: 20, 4, 11, and 14 (Mungel Jos South,) (Naraguta B, Yan shanu, Yan doya all in Jos North) have Turbidity concentration of 10.34NTU, 18.3NTU and Total Coliform of 80/100ml , 69/100ml respectively against the WHO standard guideline values of Turbidity of 5NTU and Total Coliform of 0-10/100ml. The research indicated that the well water is soft, low mineralized and potable with the exception of few