Abstract:
Both water pollution and water scarcity are increasing global problems and
particularly serious challenges for Africa. According to the World Health
Organization, more people lack access to safe water in Africa than anywhere else in
the world. To meet the growing demand for water worldwide, dams and irrigation
systems are often built, particularly to provide water for agricultural needs. However,
dams, especially large dams, may promote the spread of water-associated diseases.
Completed in 1982, the Kiri Dam reservoir in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria,
supports the water needs, which at times includes drinking, for many people living
around the reservoir. To assess overall water quality and presence of disease
indicators in the Kiri reservoir, and to establish baseline data for future monitoring,
I collected water samples (near-shore and open-water sites) in October 2016.
I evaluated the samples for physico-chemical and biological characteristics and
compared some values to national and international standards for drinking water. I
found microorganisms that indicate contamination, such as Escherichia coli, in all
near-shore samples and eggs of parasitic worms, including Schistosoma hematobium
and most likely Echinococcus granulosus, in most near-shore samples. Aside from
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average turbidity (727.4 NTU), most of the physico-chemical parameters I measured
did not exceed international standards. Overall, I found that the Kiri reservoir is not
heavily polluted; however, some important parameters were not measured in this
study, including heavy metals, nitrates, and pesticides. Future research should
concentrate on these parameters, indicator bacteria, and helmminths, and a monitoring
program should be established.