ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY OF OPEN WELL WATER IN KABONG DISTRICT, JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE

Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. It is vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity of populations. It is central to the production and preservation of a host of benefits and services for people. Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between the climate system, human society and the environment. The study was carried out to assess water quality of open wells water on the residents in some communities in Kabong District of Jos North, Jos Plateau State. Six samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory of Plateau State Water Board using standard methods for the examination of water and waste water. The parameters tested includes temperature, colour, pH, conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, calcium, and magnesium, total dissolved solid, iron, nitrate, chloride, lead and total coliforms. The results obtained indicated that the open well water in Kabong Districts have high content of lead, nickel and coliforms beyond the stipulated limit of WHO. The presence of these substances in the water is capable of causing health hazard to human being. The study recommends the need for improvement and in some cases reconstruction of the wells and well waters treatment.