Assessment of Water Quality and Degradation in Relation to Anthropogenic Activities: A Case Study of River Benue, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
1Friday Adejoh Ogwu & 2Amina Ibrahim Turaki
1Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
2Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola
Email: fridayogwu@mautech.edu.ng, fridayogwu@hotmail.com
Corresponding author: Friday Adejoh Ogwu
ABSTRACT
The paper assesses the water quality of the River Benue in Jimeta and in relation to human activities. The study assesses three different stations and conducted several interviews, observations and laboratory procedures to assess physiochemical properties of the water. Assessing water quality involved collecting water samples from each of the three sampling units. Laboratory test were further conducted which included PH and coliform tests. Secondary data was used to investigate the concentration of heavy metals and other physiochemical properties. Activities were observed and recorded in each of the units; interviews were also carried out to attain general data on the activities in each of the units. Water quality in each of the three sections was assessed successfully. None of the three sampling units had water sample that is permissible for drinking or any related process that involves ingestion of the water. To be more specific, results showed that although water sample from Jimeta dumpsite was neutral, it exhibits the property of high concentration of metals and coliforms. The paper concludes that water sample from Jimeta dumpsite has the highest level of contamination. Nevertheless, activities were more intense at the Jimeta Bridge compared to the other two sites. However, it is recommended that the Adamawa State Government and related organizations should integrate quality management with the quantity of water within a comprehensive, decentralized and participatory management system and also conduct a risk assessment in order to advance possible solutions to associated risks.
Keywords: Assessment, water quality and degradation, anthropogenic, River Benue
