ASPECTS OF SHALLOW GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN CALABAR SOUTH, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study aims at determining the quality for groundwater in the study area, for domestic and other uses. Water samples were collected in thirty plastic bottles of 1.5litres from fifteen functional boreholes in the study location. These samples were analyzed for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard field and laboratory techniques. The dominant cations are Ca2+, K2+, Mg2+ and Na+ with mean composition of 27.20, 4.30, 89.50, and 33.00mg/l respectively. S042-, Cl-, P042- and N03-are dominant anions with respective mean values of 19.58, 3.22, 5.79 and 11.94mg/l. The highest recorded value for total hardness is 19.7mg/l revealed that the groundwater in the study location is soft, while concentration level of chloride (between 1.60 to 5.03 mg/l) with mean value 3.22mg/l shows absence of saltwater intrusion. Zinc and copper have values below WHO & NDWQ while for aluminum, less than 50% of the samples were above the standard. The iron concentrations at all location do not meet the WHO and NSDWQ standard for drinking water except for borehole location 11. The high iron should be treated with appropriate methods to reduce the concentration. The pH value should be treated to increase the pH to between 7 and 8 where this standard is not met. Further analysis of the groundwater chemistry to determine its suitability for agriculture or irrigation shows that the groundwater is excellently good for agriculture or irrigation purpose in the area. It is recommended that regular monitoring be carried out in the area.