Effect of population and level of industrialization on underground water quality of Abia state, Nigeria - physico-chemical properties

Abstract

Water is one of the most vital natural resources necessary for the existence of life. In most urban cities in
various countries such as Nigeria, it is the duty of the
government to provide portable water. Most often this
responsibility is not adequately discharged causing the
inhabitants of those cities to look elsewhere to meet their
water needs. The alternative may be unwholesome. In
Abia State of Nigeria, the inability of the government to
provide sufficient portable water has led private individuals to sink boreholes. Water from these boreholes is
pumped out ‘raw’ and sold to the public without any form
of treatment and is used for drinking and other household
activities. As a result of the lucrative nature of this
business, a lot of boreholes have sprung up in the major
cities of Abia State.