The pipe borne water samples used for drinking in Enugu metropolis were analyzed phiscochemically using standard methods. Four samples were subjected to physical and chemical analysis like pH of sample A (6.1), sample B (6.00), sample C (6.42), sample D (6.5), Temperature of sample A (2.98⁰C), sample B (27.6⁰C), sample C (29.4⁰C), sample D (26.0⁰C), colour of the samples (Nil), Turbidity of sample A (0.01NM), sample B (0.02NM), sample C (0.02NM), sample D (0.01NM), dissolved solid (DS) of sample A (98mg/l), sample B (74mg/L), sample C (100mg/L), sample D (102mg/L), dissolved Oxygen (DO) of sample A (13.mg/L), sample B (12.mg/L), sample C (13.mg/L), sample D (13.0mg/L), chloride of sample A (0.5mg/L, sample B (0.45mg/L sample C (0.51mg/L), sample D (0.52mg/L), conductivity of sample A (810US/cm), sample B (700US/cm) sample C (64.0US/cm) sample D (610US/cm), Acidity of sample A (0.5mg/L), sample B (0.02mg/L), sample C (0.01mg/L), sample D (0.08mg/L), Alkalinity of sample A (4.80mg/L), sample B (7.90mg/L), sample C (7.34mg/L), sample B (31.0mg/L), sample C (30.2mg/L), sample D (30.4mg/L), Total solid TS) of sample A (100mg/L), sample B (110mg/L), sample C (129.0mg/L), sample D (189mg/L), suspended solid (SS) of sample A (2mg/L), sample B (36mg/L), sample C (29mg/L), sample D (84mg/L, total hardness (TH) of samples (Nil). The parameters analyzed were within the world health organization (WHO) and environmental protection Agency (EPA) permissible limits.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Good drinking water is essential for the being of all people and this has been observed as the most important materials required to sustain life (FAO, 1997). It is a key determinant of sustainable development that should be carefully managed to make for suitable and sustainable human health (Bitton, 1994). Because of these essential role played by water in supporting human life. It also has a great potential for transmitting disease and illness if contaminated (Ballester and Sunyer, 2000)., today major health problems are connected with poor water quality as it is estimated that over 6 million children die annually as a result of water borne disease (EPA, 2002). Population growth coupled with other factors such as urbanization, agricultural activities, industrial and commercial process, etc, has resulted in the accumulation of waste and pollutants which end up in water bodies, thereby polluting them (Lamikaran, 1999). The ground water sources are degraded gradually, therefore pure safe; healthy and odourless drinking water is a matter of deep concern (Masher and Reintheler, 1987). In many countries around the world including Nigeria. There seems to be inadequate and improper planning which have led to indiscriminate dumping of waste can be serious in cities lacking efficient waste disposal system or treatment of plants and this we found in Bwari area council Abuja.

However, the uncontrolled industrial resolution in Nigeria also created a list of water pollution problem through discharge of potentially toxic substance and harmful materials into water.

It is important to known that high concentrations of these toxic substances are known to be harmful to human health even if no source of anthropogenic contamination exists. The deleterious and detrimental effects of chemical contaminants (including heavy metals) to existence of man leading to deterioration health and sometimes death cannot be over emphasized (Schlegel, 2002).

1.1 Statement of Problem

Water quality has been one of the primary concern in Nigeria today, Good drinking water is the basic for good health. Various diseases, emanate from the consumption of contaminated water. This has prompted for a research work to be carried out on the comparative analysis of pipe borne water in Enugu.

1.2 Objective f the Study

- To access the quality of pipeborne water in Enugu

- To determine the safety of pipe borne water in Enugu for public consumption

1.3 Significance of the Study

The result of this work would be useful in the determination of physical-chemical properties of pipe borne water, used in Enugu metropolis.

1.4 Scope of the Study

This research work is limited to the determination of qualities of pipe-borne water in Enugu metropolis.