Paper Details

The research assessed groundwater quality around fuel stations in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State Nigeria. The study ascertained the possibility of fuel station polluting groundwater sources as tanks are buried underground. Water samples were collected from twelve hand dug wells for analysis of physico-chemical parameters of Colour, Temperature, TDS, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Electrical Conductivity. Both field and laboratory analyses were done using standard methods. Result of the analyses showed that the colour averaged 4.7HU, mean temperature was 23.5°C, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 0.65 mg/l, turbidity was 9.8NTU. The result of chemical analyses had pH concentration of 6.58, Iron 3.0 mg/l while Zinc had a negative mean of-0.23 mg/l, Lead 0.56 mg/l, Copper 0.30 mg/l, Cadmium and Chromium had a mean of-0.1 and 0.5mg/l respectively, and electrical conductivity 713.6 ms/cm,. The total bacteria count was 290MPN/100ml. Distances of wells from the fuel stations averaged 364.9m while the mean depth of wells was 6.2m. The multiple correlation analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between depth of wells around the fuel station and the concentration of pollution level of all Wells. All the waters are slightly acidic, because all pH concentrations were high, Iron and Lead concentrations were high in some newer wells, hence they constitute health risks. The study concluded that with time groundwater may be highly polluted. It is recommended that, regulations and public awareness on operations, and health implications of siting distances of fuel stations to the groundwater sources must be given a priority. Keywords: Groundwater, Wells, Fuel station, Petroleum, Pollution, Water quality.