DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF ROOFTOPS ON THE QUALITY OF RAINWATER COLLECTED IN UGHELLI, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of roofing materials on water quality, in Ughelli. Random sampling technique was used to collect 42 rainwater samples from different roofing materials made from (asbestos, zinc, aluminium and thatch) including the control (rainwater collected directly from the sky) in Ughelli. The results obtained are as follows; pH ranged from 5.90 –7.00, EC from 63.5 – 9.0 μS/cm, TDS from 41.4–5.9 mg/L, turbidity from 2.84 – 0.21 NTU, total alkalinity from 32.00 – 8.00 mg/L, total hardness from 24.00 – 0.20 mg/L, Cl from 4.79 – 0.29 mg/L, NO3 from 0.09 mg/L – ND, SO4 from 0.4 mg/L - ND, BOD from 1.90 – 1.10 mg/L, COD from 4.32 – 2.62 mg/L, DO from 4.80 – 5.70 mg/L, Ca from 2.112 – 0.042 mg/L, Mg from 4.571 – 0.023 mg/L, Pb from 0.16 - <0.001 mg/L, Fe from 0.470 - 0.008 mg/L, and Cr from 0.047 - < 0.001 mg/L. The results revealed that most of physicochemical parameters of rainwater samples analyzed results were generally below the WHO threshold. Furthermore, the concentration of Pb, Fe and Cr, in the samples ranged from 0.15-0.02 mg/L, 0.218-0.117 mg/L, 0.008- <0.001 mg/L respectively. The study has revealed that the first flush from all the rooftops should not be used for human consumption. However, from the fifth flush and above could be used for domestic purpose but for oral consumption, appropriate water treatment protocol would be required