Research article

Effect of Underground On-Site Sewage Disposal System on the Quality of Water from Hand Dug Wells in the Urban Centre of Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria

^*1Ushurhe Ochuko and ²Origho Thaddeus

¹Delta State Institute of Continuing Education, Ughelli, Delta State.

²Department of Geography, College of Education, Warri, Delta State

*Corresponding Author Email: ochuksbeloved201@yahoo.com

Accepted 21 July, 2013

Abstract

This study examines the effect of underground onsite sewage disposal system on the quality of water from hand dug wells in Ughelli, Delta State with a view to assessing its impact on human health. It is an experimental research survey of 20 hand dug wells sited alongside septic tanks on the same plot of land 100ft by 50ft. Laboratory analysis of water samples collected at varying distances of 5m, 15m, 25m and 30m of hand dug wells to septic tanks, to ascertain the quality of water in line with WHO (2010) drinking water standard, including a security of the health records of patients who suffered from water borne diseases from the only government owned hospital in the area was carried out. From the analysis, it was discovered that there is variation in water quality obtained from the hand dug wells in the area as a result of the proximity of onsite sanitary facilities to sources of drinking water. The variation is believed to be responsible for most of the water borne diseases in the area. The paper recommends that hand dug wells be located at least 25m from any polluting source, decongestion of onsite facilities in Urban centers and construction of offsite network facilities in order to safeguard human health.

Keywords: on site, sewage, system, water quality, hand dug wells, urban