ASSESSMENT OF THE WATER QUALITY STATUS OF OGBA RIVER USING THE NATIONAL SANITATION FOUNDATION WATER QUALITY INDEX (NSFWQI)

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the river water quality by using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) protocol to determine the status of the water quality. Water samples were collected from Ogba River located Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. The physicochemical and biological parameters analysed were temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), phosphates, nitrates, and total coliform. The overall water quality index (WQI) showed the status of the water with values ranging from 75.29 to 76 indicating good water quality but some parameters such as total coliform, pH, and turbidity need to be modified to improve water quality for further use. The results of this study showed the relevance of NSFWQI in assessing water quality and the simplicity of the result interpretation. Routine monitoring regimes to ascertain the water quality of the Ogba River will help to preserve or improve the river's health for the benefit of the surrounding area and the communities that depend on it.