A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON WATER QUALITY CRITERIA OF DELIMIT RIVER IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

A survey to compare level of environmental law compliance using Delimi River, Jos in Plateau State was carried out.  The study isolated major pollutants, resulting from waste water seepage from mines.  Toxic substances implicated include iron (0.6-3.0 mgl^-1), cadmium (1.5-2.1 mgl^-1), lead (0.8-1.25 mgl^-1), copper (2.6-3.8 mgl^-1), Zinc (8.5-18.0 mgl^-1) and  cyanide (0.05-0.4 mgl^-1).  These values significantly (P < 0.05) violate the internationally recommended water quality criteria for drinking purposes, domestic use and aquatic life.  The implications of these observations on the health of resource - dependent users, the aquatic biota and water environment are discussed