Heavy metal levels and physico-chemical parameters of potable water in nnewi, anambra state Nigeria

Ten water samples from six randomly selected boreholes, three natural spring water and one sachet water from Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria were collected. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals were determined using standard analytical procedures. The result of the physico-chemical analysis were obtained in the following range; pH (6.38-7.42), temperature (23-260C), conductivity (30.22-222.22 µS/cm), sodium (0.46-23.00mg/l), potassium (0.07-2.49mg/l), chloride (15.57-36.03mg/l), alkalinity (20-110mg/l) and hardness (45-275mg/l). The concentration of heavy metals (mg/l) in the samples were found within the following range; Pb (0.02-0.08), Fe (0.02-0.06), Cu (0.03-0.07), and Zn (ND-0.07). Cadmium was not detected in any of the water samples. Apart from lead that was found to be higher than the recommended limit for drinking water by World Health Organisation, all other results obtained were within the recommended limit.