Drinking water quality at Isoko North communities of the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Groundwater samples from boreholes and open-hand-dug wells of six communities in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Nigeria were analyzed in respect to physicochemical factors, biological factors, and the metals Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Fe for eight consecutive months to give mean values for the wet (July to October 2010) and the dry seasons (November 2010 to February 2011) for each location. The physicochemical parameters complied with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, except for the pH being lower and the concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Ba, being higher than the permissible limits of WHO. Total coliform counts indicated bacterial contaminations, especially in one location. The presence of Pb in the drinking water of all communities seemed to be associated with oil exploration and processing activities.