Hydro-Geochemical Evaluation of Groundwater Resources From Hand-Dug Wells Around Kakuri And Its Environs, Kaduna State, Northcentral Nigeria

The paper evaluates the quality and usability of groundwater from hand-dug wells in Kakuri and its environs. A total of fifteen (15) water samples were analysed for their physical and chemical parameters. Results of the study show that 2+ 2+ + the cationic and anionic concentrations vary as follow: Ca (2.4 - 11.0 mg/l), Mg (0.5 - 2.6 mg/l), Na (0.7 - 5.4 + 2+

2- mg/l), K (2.2 - 6.3 mg/l), Fe (0.03 - 0.10 mg/l), HCO (78.2 - 281.5 mg/l), Cl (8.8 - 62.2 mg/l), SO (3.9 -11.2 3 4

mg/l) and NO3 (1.9 - 9.1 mg/l). Residual sodium carbonate (RSC), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and exchangeable sodium ratio (ESR) values range from 0.00 to 1.680 meq/l, 62.37 to 119.43 µS/cm, 0.010 to 0.707, and 0.132 to 0.715, respectively. The study reveals that the waters are slightly acidic (5.70 =pH= 6.40), soft (9.29 = TH = 38.17 mg/l), fresh (109.6 = TDS = 192.9 mg/l), have low salinity hazard (SH) and belong to four water types, namely: Ca-Na-HCO , Ca-K-HCO , Mg-Ca-HCO , and Na-K- HCO . Statistical correlation analysis 3 3 3 3 shows that there is a strong positive correlation between most parameters. All the analysed parameters with the exception of pH were within the WHO (2006) standards for drinking water. These waters are considered to be suitable for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes.