EFFECTS OF PROXIMITY TO DUMPSITES ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN DUTSE ULTRAMODERN MARKET, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Purpose: Groundwater contamination from selected boreholes and wells around Dutse Ultra-Modern Market Dumpsite has been investigated and reported in this study. This is aimed at ascertaining the groundwater quality, taking cognizance of the proximity effects as a factor.

Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this aim, samples were collected from the only four available underground water sources (three boreholes and one well) in the vicinity of the dumpsites using the American Public Health Association (APHA). The study was triggered due to reported changes in the groundwater sources near the dumpsites by the communities around the Dutse Ultra-Modern market. The parameters selected are: copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, iron, and manganese using standard methods.

Findings: The results show that all the parameters were within the recommended permissible limit of WHO and NSDWQ drinking water standards, but iron and manganese have an escalated concentration, particularly in sample point A. In this sample point (borehole A), iron concentration exceeded the permissible limit (0.112; WHO 1), whilst manganese has surpassed the highest desirable level but is within the maximum permissible limit (0.349; WHO 0.5). It is suspected that the proximity of sample point A (Lat. 0537328, Long. 1292669) to the dumpsites was the contributing factor for the escalated concentration of iron and manganese in the said sample station (sample A).

Research limitations/Implications: The limitations include the use of only four samples which were the only available underground water sources (three boreholes and one well) in the vicinity of the dumpsites.

Practical implications: It was concluded that water sources such as boreholes and wells should be situated far away from dumpsites, or rather, the dumpsites should be kept far from boreholes and wells, and be upgraded to meet the current hygienic standards.

Originality/value – The study revealed the groundwater contamination from the available groundwater sources (three boreholes and one well) around Dutse Ultra-Modern Market Dumpsite, taking cognizance of the proximity effects as a factor.