The effect of Oja-titun market effluent on the chemical quality of receiving OPA reservoir in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The effect of market effluent from the Oja-titun market in Ile-Ife, Nigeria on the chemical quality of the Opa Reservoir located 3.5 km downstream was investigated between February and November 2000. Water samples were collected in February, May, August and November from 16 sites, four along each of the market drainage channels (MDC), market stream, tributary stream and the Opa River and Reservoir. The peak level of each variable-biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, total alkalinity, Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), PO(4)(3+), SO(4)(2+), Cl(-), NO(3)(-), Pb and Zn-occurred at the MDC, and decreased significantly downstream, except pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, which increased. Seasonal fluctuation in most variables was pronounced. Generally, there were high values in the early dry and dry seasons and low values in the rainy and early rainy seasons. Comparison of the reservoir water with international limitation standards for drinking water supply showed that the quality of the reservoir water was very low and that treatment required to achieve minimum limitation standards for drinking water would be both intensive and expensive. The study concluded that the stream borne effluent from the market impacts significantly on the chemical quality of the reservoir water although other tributaries within the Reservoir's catchment are other possible sources of pollutants in the reservoir.     

Human health and sustainable water resources development in Nigeria: Schistosomiasis inartificial lakes

In the last three decades, there has been an unprecedented upsurge in dam construction in Nigeria to store water for year-round water supply, irrigation and fisheries. Out of a total of 323 dams identified in the literature, 246 (76.2%) were constructed since 1970. Although only 47 of the reservoir lakes have been surveyed for snail intermediate hosts and 11 of the 47 for human infection, the results obtained by the various workers are very revealing. Snail hosts of schistosomiasis were found in 20 (42.6%) of the 47 lakes and human infection in 10 (90.9%) of the 11 lakes investigated for the respective purposes. These findings show that dam construction is contributing to schistosomiasis transmission in Nigeria and, unless urgent steps are taken to reverse the situation, the adverse health consequences of the dams will more than balance their socio-economic benefits. This paper discusses these problems in the context of existing institutional and legal frameworks in Nigeria and identifies appropriate measures, that could achieve sustainable water resources development in the future.     

Urbanization and its effects on land and water resources in Ijebuland,southwestern Nigeria

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The many widely reported significant environmental changes in sub-Saharan communities caused by population change and expansion of built-up areas have...