Abstract

The study assessed the quality of sources of drinking water used by scavengers in Gosa Area of the FCT. The study adopted the experimental research design. The study adopted the purposive sampling technique. Similarly, Sample used in the study were three sources of drinking water in the study area, namely from boreholes and shallow wells. Water samples collected was prevented from being exposed to sunlight. Samples were packed in plastic cooler containing ice for preservation and analysed within 24hours from the time of sample collection to avoid errors that may be introduced due to environmental factors. The samples collected were comparatively analyzed based on their physical and chemical properties, within the premise of drinking water quality as approved by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food, Drug Administrative Control (NAFDACT). The results of the study revealed that all the sampled water sourced in the study were odourless and in line with the requirement of NAFDAC and SON. With respect to taste, all the sampled water sources in the study area had test, which is against NAFDAC and SON guideline for safe drinking water. The results revealed that all the sample of the study fall within NAFDAC, SON, and WHO guideline for safe drinking water, ranging from a pH value of 5.00-6.69. All the sampled water sources in the study area had levels of TDS content which met the WHO guideline standard value of 1000mg/l as well as NAFDAC and SON guideline standard. The study found that well water source was the most polluted source of water, as a result of exposure to different materials making it prone to high concentration of physical, chemical and microbiological properties. By way of qualitative description, well water has the highest concentration of physical and microbiological properties of water. The study concluded that with NAFDAC and SON permissible guidelines for potable water not adhered by people; it is therefore the collective responsibility of both private and public sectors for ensuring effective management of water sources for greater sustainability. Furthermore, the research has provided explanatory information on the quality status (Physical, Chemical and Microbiological) parameters of three common sources of drinking water in Gosa, FCT, Abuja.