TRACE SULPHATE DISTRIBUTION IN TAP WATER IN OGHARA AND ITS ENVIRONS

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to determine the presence of sulphate in drinking tap water in Oghara and its environs. A total
of fifteen water samples were collected at three locations and were analysed for the presence of sulphate by using Uv/visible
spectrophotometer. The results of sulphate concentration from the various locations were in the range of 5.65 – 8.55, 3.25
– 8.50, 3.65 – 8.55, 4.26 – 8.15 and 3.44 – 5.60mg/L with corresponding means of 6.90, 6.07, 5.43, 5.61 and 4.61mg/L for
Oghara junction, Ibori road, Kpateghe road, Community road and Delsuth respectively. The concentrations of the sulphate
in the various locations were relatively low and therefore in conformity with National Environmental Standard and
Regulation Enforcement Agency and World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 250mg/L for portable water. The
difference in the various concentration thus reflects the kind of activities in the various areas. It was therefore recommended
that there should be regular monitoring of water in order to evaluate the toxic, logical significance of commonly used water
for drinking purpose