HEAVY METALS ANALYSIS OF UNDERGROUND WATER SITUATED CLOSE TO SEPTIC PIT LOCATED IN OZORO TOWN

Heavy metals refer to the heavy dense, metallic elements with atomic weight between 63.546 and 200.590 and a specific gravity greater than 4.0. They are highly toxic and tends to accumulate hence ate commonly referred to as trace metals. The study examined heavy metal analysis of boreholes water situated closed to septic pit in Ozoro town, Delta State, Nigeria. Water samples from twelve functional boreholes from four major streets of Ozoro town (Urude, Uruamudhu, Uruole and Etevie) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck 400 Model). From the result the range of the metals are as follows; Ca (8.34 62.20mg/l), Fe (0.01 0.04mg/l), Zn (0.03 0.05mg/l) and there was no detection of Pb and Cd. The results obtained from the various locations were compared with WHO (World Health Organization) drinking water quality standard. Despite the varying distances between the boreholes and septic pit, the heavy metals present in the water samples were within the recommended WHO limit, thus making the water suitable for human consumption and other domestic activities. It is recommended that routine monitoring and assessment of boreholes sited closed to septic pit should be made in order to maintain the quality status of boreholes in the study area.