Groundwater Quality Suitability Using Indices for Industrial and Domestic Purposes in Oredo LGA of Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Groundwater is a vital resource for industrial and domestic purposes, particularly in regions where surface water is scarce. Its suitability, however, is often compromised by corrosion and anthropogenic activities, which reduce industrial efficiency and pose risks to infrastructure and public health. Although physicochemical parameters provide valuable insights into groundwater quality, they do not capture all aspects of suitability. To address this limitation, water quality indices were applied to integrate multiple parameters into a single measure of suitability for industrial and domestic purposes. Borehole samples were collected and tested for pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Potassium (K+), Sodium (Na+), Chloride (Cl-), Nitrite (NO2-), Nitrate (NO3-), Sulfate (SO42-), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4N), and Coliforms. The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) indicated a high tendency toward corrosion due to groundwater acidity, rendering it unsuitable for industrial applications. In contrast, the Water Quality Index (WQI) classified the groundwater as suitable for drinking and other domestic uses, though potential threats from anthropogenic activities were evident. These findings highlight the dual nature of groundwater suitability: acceptable for domestic consumption but problematic for industrial use. Regular monitoring, treatment, and management strategies are recommended to mitigate corrosion risks and safeguard public health.
Keywords: Groundwater, Index, Parameter, Suitability, Industrial, Corrosion, Oredo LGA
References
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Adegbite, J.T., Aigbogun, C. O. and Kuforijimi, O. (2018). Physiochemical Analysis of the Quality of Groundwater in Egbeta, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics, 6(3): 9-32
Adelagun, R. O. A., Etim, E. E., and Godwin, O. E. (2021). Application of Water Quality Index for the Assessment of Water from Different Sources in Nigeria. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.98696
Agatemor, C. and Okolo, P. O. (2007). University of Benin Water Supply System: Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Assessments. Environmentalist, 27(3):227–239.
Agossou, A. and Yang, Y. (2021). Comparative Study of Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination Assessment Methods Applied to the Southern Coastal Sedimentary Basin of Benin. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 35: 1-20
Akharame, M. O., & Ajayi, M. A. (2022). Assessment of groundwater quality using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index within Benin City, Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS), 8(3a):162–173.
Balogun, V. S. and Orimoogunje, O. O. I. (2015). An Assessment of Seasonal Variation of Air Pollution in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 5 (4): 209-218.
Brown, R. M., Mccleiland, N. J., Deiniger, R. A. and O’Connor, M. F. A. (1972). Water Quality Index - Crossing the Physical Barrier (SH Jenkis Ed.) Proc. Intl. Conf. on Water Poll. Res. Jerusalem, 6, pp. 787–797.
Egbueri, J.C., Unigwe, C. O., Omeka, M. E. and Ayejoto, D. A. (2021): Urban Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Pollution Indicators and Multivariate Statistical Tools: A Case Study in Southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 101(11):1-28.
Egun, N. K. and Ogiesoba-Eguakun, C. U. (2018). Physico-Chemical and Water Quality Index Analysis of the Okhuaihe river, Edo State, Nigeria. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 43 (4):345-351.
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Hamzah, Z., Abdul Ghani, H. and Alias, M. (2008). Water Quality Analysis and Its Relation to the Scaling and Corrosion Tendency in an Open Water-Cooling System. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 12 (2): 380 – 383.
Hasan, M., Shang, Y., Akhter, G. and Jin, W. (2017). Evaluation of Groundwater Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes in Toba Tek Singh District, Pakistan. Irrigation and Drainage Systems Engineering, 6 (1): 1-16.
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Islam, Md. S. and Mostafa, M. G. (2023). Suitability Assessment of Shallow Groundwater for Industrial Uses in Terms of Storability and Corrosivity. Journal of Pollution and Effects on Community Health, 1(1): 1-20
Kumar, S. K., Logeshkumaran A., Magesh N. S., Godson, P. S. and Chandrasekar, N. (2015). Hydro-geochemistry and application of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater quality assessment, Anna Nagar, part of Chennai City, Tamil Nadu, India. Applied Water Science, 5 (4):335–343.
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Mirzabeygi, M., Yousefi, N., Abbasnia, A., Youzi, H., Alikhani, M., & Mahvi, A. H. (2017). Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Assessment of Scaling Potential and Corrosiveness of Water Supply Networks, Iran. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - Aqua, 66(6) 416–425.
Mohammad, S. G. and Amba, S. (2018). Groundwater Quality Assessment of Urban Bengaluru Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques. Applied Water Science, 8, Article 43.
Mohammadi, A. A., NajafiSaleh, H., Mahvi, A. H., Alimohammadi, M., Nabizadeh, R. and Yousefi, M. (2018). Data on Corrosion and Scaling Potential of Drinking Water Resources Using Stability Indices in Jolfa, East Azerbaijan, Iran. Data in Brief, 16, 724– 731.
Mukherji, A. (2006). Intensive Use of Groundwater, a Solution to World’s Water Crisis, UK. Chapter 11, pp. 181–193.
Nicole, M. B., Robin, W., Christian, M. and Mario, S. (2019). A Review of Treat to Groundwater Quality in the Anthropocene. Science of the Total Environment, 684,36-154
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National Population Commission (NPC). (2006). Nigeria National Census 2006. Abuja: National
Population Commission of Nigeria.
Oboh, I. P. and Agbala, C. S. (2017). Water quality assessment of the Siluko River, Southern Nigeria. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 42 (3): 279–286.
Ogbeifun, D. E., Archibong, U. D., Chiedu, I. E. and Ikpe, E. E. (2019). Assessment of the Water Quality of Boreholes in Selected Areas in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Chemical Science International Journal, 28(2): 1-13
Ojiako, J. C., Igbokwe, E. C. and Oliha, A. (2018). Creation of Geospatial Database for Educational Facilities in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Research & Method in Education, 8(2) Ver. IV (Mar. – Apr.):72-84
Omeka, M. E, Egbueri, J. C., Unigwe, C. O. (2022) Investigating the Hydrogeochemistry, Corrosivity and Scaling Tendencies of Groundwater in an Agrarian Area (Nigeria) Using Graphical, Indexical and Statistical Modelling. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15, Article 1233-1256.
Omoigberale, M. O., Ogbeibu, A. E. and Olotu, N. O. (2009). Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Tropical Freshwater Biology, 18(2): 11-20.
Orjiekwe, C. L., Dumo, D. T. and Chinedu, N. B. (2013). Assessment of Water Quality of Ogbese River in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 7(6): 2581-2590.
Paiu, M. and Breaban, I. G. (2014). Water Quality Index – An Instrument for Water Resources Management. Aerul şi Apa: Componente ale Mediului, pp. 391-398.
Panaskar, D. B., Wagh, V. M., Muley, A. A., Mukate, S. V., Pawar, R. S. and Aamalawa, M. L. (2016). Evaluating Groundwater Suitability for the Domestic, Irrigation, and Industrial Purposes in Nanded Tehsil, Maharashtra, India, Using GIS and Statistics. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9, Article 615
Peterson, N., & Kennedy, M. (1997). Water quality trends and geological mass balance. In Water Quality and Its Management (pp. 139–179). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Pius, A., Jerome, C., & Sharma, N. (2012). Evaluation of groundwater quality in and around Peenya industrial area of Bangalore, South India using GIS techniques. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(7):4067–4077.
Rawlings, A. and Ikediashi, A. I. (2020). Impact of Urbanizing Ovia-North East on the Quality of Groundwater using Water Quality Index. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology (NIJEST), 4 (1): 87 – 96.
Rawlings, A., Ofili, J. A., and Seghosime, S. (2024). Assessment of groundwater suitability for industrial purpose in Oredo LGA of Benin City, Nigeria using Langelier Saturation Index. Journal of Engineering Research, 29(1):1–13.
Shweta, T., Bhavtosh, S., Prashant, S. and Rajendra, D., (2013), Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index. American Journal of Water Resources, 1 (3), 34-38.
Srigirisetty, S., Jayasri, T. and Netaji, C. (2017). Open Dumping of Municipal Solid Waste-Impact on Groundwater and Soil. International Journal of Current Engineering and Scientific Research, 4(6):26-33.
Tyagi, S., Sharma, B., Singh, P. and Dobhal, R. (2013). Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index. American Journal of Water Resources, 1(3):34–38.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: 4th edition incorporating the first addendum (pp. 307–442). Edited by J. Bartram & R. Bos. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
WHO, World Health Organisation (2011). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, 4th Edition, 7853-7859
Achadu, M. A., Uyigue, L. and Obahiagbon, K.O. (2018). Analysis of the Interactions of Dumpsite with Leachate and Groundwater in Benin City and Port Harcourt. International Journal of Engineering and Modern Technology, 4 (3): 40-51.
Adegbite, J.T., Aigbogun, C. O. and Kuforijimi, O. (2018). Physiochemical Analysis of the Quality of Groundwater in Egbeta, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics, 6(3): 9-32
Adelagun, R. O. A., Etim, E. E., and Godwin, O. E. (2021). Application of Water Quality Index for the Assessment of Water from Different Sources in Nigeria. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.98696
Agatemor, C. and Okolo, P. O. (2007). University of Benin Water Supply System: Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Assessments. Environmentalist, 27(3):227–239.
Agossou, A. and Yang, Y. (2021). Comparative Study of Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination Assessment Methods Applied to the Southern Coastal Sedimentary Basin of Benin. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 35: 1-20
Akharame, M. O., & Ajayi, M. A. (2022). Assessment of groundwater quality using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index within Benin City, Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS), 8(3a):162–173.
Balogun, V. S. and Orimoogunje, O. O. I. (2015). An Assessment of Seasonal Variation of Air Pollution in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 5 (4): 209-218.
Brown, R. M., Mccleiland, N. J., Deiniger, R. A. and O’Connor, M. F. A. (1972). Water Quality Index - Crossing the Physical Barrier (SH Jenkis Ed.) Proc. Intl. Conf. on Water Poll. Res. Jerusalem, 6, pp. 787–797.
Egbueri, J.C., Unigwe, C. O., Omeka, M. E. and Ayejoto, D. A. (2021): Urban Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Pollution Indicators and Multivariate Statistical Tools: A Case Study in Southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 101(11):1-28.
Egun, N. K. and Ogiesoba-Eguakun, C. U. (2018). Physico-Chemical and Water Quality Index Analysis of the Okhuaihe river, Edo State, Nigeria. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 43 (4):345-351.
Energy Pulse, (2023). Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and Its Importance in Water Chemistry. Available Online from: https://www.energypurse.com/langelier-saturation-index-lsi-its-importance-in-water-chemistry/Accessed 02/03/2023
Foster, S. (1998). Groundwater: Assessing Vulnerability and Promoting Protection of a Threatened Resource. Proceedings of the 8th Stockholm Water Symposium, Stockholm, Sweden, 10–13 August 1998, pp. 79–90.
Hamzah, Z., Abdul Ghani, H. and Alias, M. (2008). Water Quality Analysis and Its Relation to the Scaling and Corrosion Tendency in an Open Water-Cooling System. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 12 (2): 380 – 383.
Hasan, M., Shang, Y., Akhter, G. and Jin, W. (2017). Evaluation of Groundwater Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes in Toba Tek Singh District, Pakistan. Irrigation and Drainage Systems Engineering, 6 (1): 1-16.
Hermann, E. and Prunes, E. (2022). What is Groundwater and Why it is so Important. Available online from: https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-is-groundwater-and-why-it-is-so-important, Accessed 21/04/2023
Islam, Md. S. and Mostafa, M. G. (2023). Suitability Assessment of Shallow Groundwater for Industrial Uses in Terms of Storability and Corrosivity. Journal of Pollution and Effects on Community Health, 1(1): 1-20
Kumar, S. K., Logeshkumaran A., Magesh N. S., Godson, P. S. and Chandrasekar, N. (2015). Hydro-geochemistry and application of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater quality assessment, Anna Nagar, part of Chennai City, Tamil Nadu, India. Applied Water Science, 5 (4):335–343.
Lewin, P. (2023). Chloride in Drinking Water: Health Effects and 3 Ways to Remove it. Home Water Research. Available online from: http://homewaterresearch.com/chloride-in-drinking-water/, Accessed 10/06/2023
Manpower, (2023). Oredo Local Government Area. Available online from: https://www.manpower.com.ng/places/lga/273/oredo, Accessed 04/03/2023
Mirzabeygi, M., Naji, M., Yousefi, N., Shams, M., Biglari, H., & Mahvi, A. H. (2016). Evaluation of Corrosion and Scaling Tendency Indices in Water Distribution System: A Case Study of Torbat Heydariye, Iran. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(54): 25918–25926.
Mirzabeygi, M., Yousefi, N., Abbasnia, A., Youzi, H., Alikhani, M., & Mahvi, A. H. (2017). Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Assessment of Scaling Potential and Corrosiveness of Water Supply Networks, Iran. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - Aqua, 66(6) 416–425.
Mohammad, S. G. and Amba, S. (2018). Groundwater Quality Assessment of Urban Bengaluru Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques. Applied Water Science, 8, Article 43.
Mohammadi, A. A., NajafiSaleh, H., Mahvi, A. H., Alimohammadi, M., Nabizadeh, R. and Yousefi, M. (2018). Data on Corrosion and Scaling Potential of Drinking Water Resources Using Stability Indices in Jolfa, East Azerbaijan, Iran. Data in Brief, 16, 724– 731.
Mukherji, A. (2006). Intensive Use of Groundwater, a Solution to World’s Water Crisis, UK. Chapter 11, pp. 181–193.
Nicole, M. B., Robin, W., Christian, M. and Mario, S. (2019). A Review of Treat to Groundwater Quality in the Anthropocene. Science of the Total Environment, 684,36-154
Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS). (2015). Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), NIS 554, pp. 17–21. Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Abuja.
National Population Commission (NPC). (2006). Nigeria National Census 2006. Abuja: National
Population Commission of Nigeria.
Oboh, I. P. and Agbala, C. S. (2017). Water quality assessment of the Siluko River, Southern Nigeria. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 42 (3): 279–286.
Ogbeifun, D. E., Archibong, U. D., Chiedu, I. E. and Ikpe, E. E. (2019). Assessment of the Water Quality of Boreholes in Selected Areas in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Chemical Science International Journal, 28(2): 1-13
Ojiako, J. C., Igbokwe, E. C. and Oliha, A. (2018). Creation of Geospatial Database for Educational Facilities in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Research & Method in Education, 8(2) Ver. IV (Mar. – Apr.):72-84
Omeka, M. E, Egbueri, J. C., Unigwe, C. O. (2022) Investigating the Hydrogeochemistry, Corrosivity and Scaling Tendencies of Groundwater in an Agrarian Area (Nigeria) Using Graphical, Indexical and Statistical Modelling. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15, Article 1233-1256.
Omoigberale, M. O., Ogbeibu, A. E. and Olotu, N. O. (2009). Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Tropical Freshwater Biology, 18(2): 11-20.
Orjiekwe, C. L., Dumo, D. T. and Chinedu, N. B. (2013). Assessment of Water Quality of Ogbese River in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 7(6): 2581-2590.
Paiu, M. and Breaban, I. G. (2014). Water Quality Index – An Instrument for Water Resources Management. Aerul şi Apa: Componente ale Mediului, pp. 391-398.
Panaskar, D. B., Wagh, V. M., Muley, A. A., Mukate, S. V., Pawar, R. S. and Aamalawa, M. L. (2016). Evaluating Groundwater Suitability for the Domestic, Irrigation, and Industrial Purposes in Nanded Tehsil, Maharashtra, India, Using GIS and Statistics. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9, Article 615
Peterson, N., & Kennedy, M. (1997). Water quality trends and geological mass balance. In Water Quality and Its Management (pp. 139–179). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Pius, A., Jerome, C., & Sharma, N. (2012). Evaluation of groundwater quality in and around Peenya industrial area of Bangalore, South India using GIS techniques. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(7):4067–4077.
Rawlings, A. and Ikediashi, A. I. (2020). Impact of Urbanizing Ovia-North East on the Quality of Groundwater using Water Quality Index. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology (NIJEST), 4 (1): 87 – 96.
Rawlings, A., Ofili, J. A., and Seghosime, S. (2024). Assessment of groundwater suitability for industrial purpose in Oredo LGA of Benin City, Nigeria using Langelier Saturation Index. Journal of Engineering Research, 29(1):1–13.
Shweta, T., Bhavtosh, S., Prashant, S. and Rajendra, D., (2013), Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index. American Journal of Water Resources, 1 (3), 34-38.
Srigirisetty, S., Jayasri, T. and Netaji, C. (2017). Open Dumping of Municipal Solid Waste-Impact on Groundwater and Soil. International Journal of Current Engineering and Scientific Research, 4(6):26-33.
Tyagi, S., Sharma, B., Singh, P. and Dobhal, R. (2013). Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index. American Journal of Water Resources, 1(3):34–38.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: 4th edition incorporating the first addendum (pp. 307–442). Edited by J. Bartram & R. Bos. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
WHO, World Health Organisation (2011). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, 4th Edition, 7853-7859
Published
2026-03-12
How to Cite
Rawlings, A. (2026). Groundwater Quality Suitability Using Indices for Industrial and Domestic Purposes in Oredo LGA of Benin City, Nigeria. Journal of Engineering Research, 30(3), 100-114. Retrieved from https://jer.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/2881
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