Assessment of the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Content of Some Drinking Water Sources in Jos South LGA in Northern Senatorial District of Plateau State Nigeria

Drinking water is hardly found 100% pure in nature due to human activities and other natural factors. Many diseases in developing countries are caused by drinking contaminated water. Water samples collected were analyzed by automated instrumental methods prescribed by standard methods for the analysis of water and wastewater and the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results showed SO42- range  from ND to 60.00mg/L; pH 5.27 to 6.79; NO3- 1.19-11,64 mg/L; PO42- 10.12 to 352.00mg/L;  Cd range from 0.011± 0.00 to 0.032 ± 0.00mg/L; Ni, from ND to 0.04 mg/L; Cr, ND to 0.686 ± 0.07mg/L; Pb ND to 0.34 ± 0.01mg/L, total bacteria count TaBC, 1.5 x 104 to 8.5 x 104 CFU/mL in the samples used. The calculated average daily intake (ADI) for Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were within acceptable limits while the hazard quotients (HQ) for all the metals were >1, signifying that the population would experience non-cancer risks due to exposure to these metals in drinking water. The bacteriological study of the water samples also revealed that the water samples were all polluted with bacteria and coliforms. From the foregoing, these drinking water sources, therefore require treatment before consumption to minimize or avoid the incidences of water-related diseases.