Assessment of Water Quality in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Water quality of a Nigerian tertiary Hospital with over three thousand staff and up to one thousand patients was investigated. The main source of water supply were the boreholes. Samples were collected from 6 Boreholes and two different brands of sachet water (packaged drinking water) and were tested for the following; pH, total solids, turbidity, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, hardness, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, BOD, COD, DO, Iron, Copper, Lead, E. coli and Total coliform. The results of the evaluations were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) to establish its suitability for human consumption. Statistical tests were conducted to compare experimental results with standards. From the tests conducted, five samples; A, C, D, E and G have higher mean values for lead (Pb) more than prescribed limit of 0.05mg/l by WHO. Microbial in Sample B, C, D, E, F, and G were above the required standard of 0cfu in 100ml. From all the analysis conducted only sample H was found to be in conformity with the WHO and NSDWQ standards in terms of both the physicochemical and the bacteriological analysis. Lead can be removed by reverse osmosis process and the microbial contaminants can be removed by either boiling or by disinfection using chlorine.