ASSESSMENT OF POULTRY FARMING PRACTICES ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN ILESE COMMUNITY, OGUN STATE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the effects of prevailing poultry farming activities on the groundwater quality of Ilese Community, Ogun, southwestern Nigeria. The study involved field and laboratory work where evaluation of the groundwater quality was carried out. The water samples collected were analyzed for pH, temperature, total dissolved solid (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and microbiological contents of the sampled water. Five (5) boreholes were evaluated, including those from the poultry farm, while a global positioning system was used to obtain the longitude, latitude, elevation, and distance of the study area locations. From the study, it was concluded that the physical and microbiological parameters found within each water sample are still within the WHO standard for drinking water and do not pose a serious risk to health at present. Though the sanitary risk assessment indicated that the boreholes are facing some potential risk from environmental factors like the poor location of the poultry farm and poor dumping of waste from the poultry farm by the inhabitants, which can constitute a potential risk to the health of the populace. Hence, it is recommended that there should be a campaign and education awareness program among the inhabitants to continuously ensure the borehole water quality and treatment of water before consumption, and there should also be proper planning for future urban development of the study area