Abstract

Accessibility to safe and good quality drinking water is paramount to human survival as such every individual is entitled to good quality water. Thus, in Biu city, Biu Local Government Area, Borno State are facing the problem of water scarcity. The study assesses the quality of a few chosen boreholes. Two samples from each of the five (5) wards that make up the metropolis were sampled. The following physico-chemical variables were analyzed for water quality: pH, EC, turbidity, DO, TSS, sodium, potassium, nitrate, ammonia, sulphate, chloride, salinity, and total alkalinity. The results showed that, in accordance with the World Health Organization’s water quality guideline, the water samples’ pH ranged from 6.8 to 8.0, making them suitable for drinking and household usage. The value for different physico-chemical parameters on EC, TDS, is within the standard of WHO. The total hardness within the samples varies from samples to another but is still with the range of acceptability. On the area of concentration of heavy metals, Cu exceeded the limit in most of the areas which is set at 0.005. High copper levels in water can have negative impacts on the ecosystem and human health, thus this is reason for concern. The study therefore recommended that there should be periodic boreholes rehabilitation, cleaning of the surroundings, regular assessing of the water samples in order to check the basic physico-chemical characteristics of the water quality, followed by the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)can assist and build more boreholes in the study area. 

Key Words: Water quality, Drinking water, Physicochemical characteristics, Biu, Nigeria