Effect of Dumpsite on Water Quality of Shallow Wells: A Case Study of Nasarawa Town, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Municipal solid waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing environmental protection agencies in developing countries. Water for drinking, cooking and bathing exposes people, especially young children to a wide range of health risks, including diarrheal diseases. This paperis aimed to study the physio-chemical and bacteriological qualities of water samples collected from the wells close to dumpsites in some selected location of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. From the research, waste dumps which are located indiscriminately in Nasarawa town have strong influence on shallow groundwater samples. The physico-chemical and bacteriological properties of the water samples collected from wells fall short of WHO standard. Also, a significant difference was observed between these parameters value in wet and dry seasons. Heavy metals were also detected in the water samples above the acceptable range as recommended by WHO. Significant difference in value of electrical conductivity between wet season and dry season is attributed to the increase in water volume in the well which reduces the salt concentration. Diseases related to drinking non portable water was the most reported cases in all the clinics visited in Nasarawa Local Government Area and this might be as a result of people of this community drinking from these water sources. It was recommended that shallow well should be well lined likewise located far away from dumpsite and latrine, water from these sources should undergo so level of treatment before consumption.