Quality Assessment of some Groundwater within Automobile Workshops in Ihiala Council Area of Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

The pollution index of groundwater (borehole water) within the vicinity of automobile workshops from selected communities in the Ihiala council area was investigated. Ihiala council area is an exit and entry route to the Eastern States of Nigeria, thus witnessing an influx of vehicles daily, an attribute that boosts automobile workshops enterprise. An increase in automobile workshop enterprises within residential areas necessitates the need to investigate underground water quality in the council area. The study was carried out by collecting 10 borehole water samples from three communities in the council area with a control sample using systematic (composite) sampling techniques. Physicochemical, volatile organic carbons (VOCs) and inorganic compositions of the borehole water samples were analyzed. Data was analyzed using the appropriate statistical technique of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.00. Wilks’ Lambda showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in physicochemical compositions of borehole water samples across the various studied communities: Wilks’ Lambda=0.000, F(14,2)=9.84, p=0.096. Using a one-sample T-test, VOCs in the borehole water samples were found to be significant (p<0.05) within acceptable limits and there were significantly increasing levels (p<0.05) of acidity, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, Iron, Cobalt, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, and hydrocarbons when compared with the control water sample. However, the concentrations of TDS and Mn varied across the studied communities. The study echoed the growing concern about the quality of groundwater located within automobile workshop vicinities. Hence, improper disposal of automobile wastes demands attention to protect the environment and groundwater sources. The study recommends a keen consideration of sitting boreholes during development and exposing automobile workshop operators to integrated waste management. Also, automobile workshops should be assessed regularly to ensure compliance with environmental regulations relevant to the industry.