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Assessment of Heavy Metals in Hand Dug wells sited close to septic tanks in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria using GIS Techniques

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Natural Science Education, College of Science Education, Lagos State University of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, P.M.B.007 Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria
  • 2School of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, University of Aston, Birmingham, B47ET, United Kingdom
  • 3Phamardeko Plc, Agbara, Ogun State, Nigeria
  • 4Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, 241103, Malete, Kwara, Nigeria
  • 5Environmental and Public Health Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Kilometre, 36 Akure Ilesha Rd, Ikeji, Nigeria

Res.J.chem.sci., Volume 15, Issue (4), Pages 42-52, October,18 (2025)

Abstract

Groundwater contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Among the many pollutants that threaten water resources, microbial agents and heavy metals are of particular concern. Microbial contamination can trigger outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, while heavy metals are highly toxic even at very low concentrations. In Nigeria, the persistent shortage of safe drinking water has forced many households to rely on hand-dug wells, often constructed just a few meters from septic tanks, typically at a distance of about nine meters. This reliance on alternative water sources underscores the severity of potable water scarcity across communities. This study addresses the issue by examining the concentration of heavy metals in water samples drawn from fifteen hand-dug wells located near septic tanks in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Samples were collected in both the rainy and dry seasons, and the presence of iron, copper, manganese, cadmium, lead, and zinc was analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Findings showed that concentrations of copper, iron, zinc, and cadmium were below the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Manganese levels also fell within the WHO acceptable range. However, lead was consistently detected at concentrations between 0.01 and 0.05 mg/L, exceeding the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L across all sampled wells. The presence of lead at such levels renders the well water unsafe for human consumption due to its toxic effects, which can cause serious health disorders even when ingested in small amounts. To safeguard public health, regular monitoring and systematic assessment of well water quality are essential. Furthermore, sanitary inspection officers should enforce stricter measures to prevent the indiscriminate introduction of heavy metals into groundwater, thereby ensuring safe and sustainable water supplies for the growing population in the study area.

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