Abstract

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Ogbese river is the primary source of drinking water for the community’s inhabitants. It is located in Ogbese town, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical parameters which are of public health significance from Ogbese river in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Three sampling points, upstream, midstream, and downstream, were chosen with intervals of 100 meters apart, and water samples were collected against the water current. Samples for physicochemical analyses were collected in sterile clean containers, appropriately labelled, and analyzed using standard analytical methods. The results showed that temperature ranged from 26.00 ±1.000C - 27.00 ±1.000C, pH ranged from 6.63 ±0.12 - 8.20 ±0.10, total dissolved solids ranged from 24.83 ±1.53 mg/ml - 156.77 ±16.47 mg/ml and conductivity ranged from 48.00 ±3.00 µS/cm - 224.07 ±166.53 µS/cm respectively. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the parameters sampled apart from Temperature and pH values were all below the permissible limit. Concerted efforts should be put in place, by the relevant authorities, to checkmate the public health menance associated, with the consumption of water from Ogbese river, Nigeria.

Keywords: Dissolved solids, heavy metals, Ogbese river, public health