An Evaluation of Selected Physicochemical Parameters of Surface Water in River Wuye, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

An evaluation of selected physicochemical parameters and water quality of River Wuye, Abuja, Nigeria was undertaken from December, 2019 to November, 2020. The aim was to determine the levels of selected physicochemical parameters of surface water in River Wuye for sustainable management, conservation, utilization and early warning. Water samples were collected monthly from four sampling stations with varying human activities from upstream to downstream of the river; and analyzed using standard methods, instruments and procedures. The results obtained for fourteen physicochemical parameters examined showed that the mean values were: Water Temperature, 25.31±1.56°C, Turbidity, 40.08±58.94NTU, Dissolved Oxygen, 7.21±1.02mg/l, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 3.54±1.20mg/l, pH, 7.27±0.29, Electrical Conductivity, 168.72±75.66μS/cm, Total Dissolved Solids, 101.80±45.73mg/l, Total Alkalinity, 117.81±151.49mg/l, Total Hardness, 155.89±233.13mg/l, Chloride, 155.89±233.13mg/l, Phosphate-Phosphorus, 8.99±4.50 mg/l, Nitrate-Nitrogen, 21.77±34.68mg/l, Salinity, 0.36±0.03mg/l and Manganese, 2.72±3.53 mg/l. Most mean and maximum values of physicochemical parameters by station exceeded the WHO permissible limits for water consumption except for Water temperature, pH, BOD, EC, TDS and Chloride which were within the limits. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of mean physicochemical parameters showed that there were no significant difference/variation (p>0.05) in the values between stations. Values varied significantly between months (p<0.05) except for Salinity, pH and Phosphate as shown by the p-values; and between seasons, except for eight of the parameters. Pearson’s Correlation Analysis revealed positive and negative relationships between the parameters. Appropriate ecosystem management strategy should be adopted and implemented to include regular and effective monitoring and control of activities in and around the river, capacity building and education of local communities on eco-friendly and sustainable waste management practices and agriculture.