1.1 Introduction
Groundwater is the main source of water for domestic use in Nigeria because it is perceived to be clean. Water contamination is the disintegration of physical, biological and chemical attributes of water because of interruptions by human and some other source (Selvinaz et al., 2015). Yet oceanic resources comprises of amazingly extensive variety of flora and fauna resources which offer a wide array of products with potential utilitarian application in agriculture, innovative industry and the pharmaceutical industry which renders important advantages and service (Selvinaz et al., 2015). However, water that moves below the ground surface undergoes natural filtration that removes most organisms. For this reason, water from springs and deep wells are generally of better quality than flowing water. Water related diseases continue to be one of the major health issue globally. The high revalence of diarrhoea among children and infants can be traced to the use of unsafe water and unhygienic practices (Omalu et al., 2010).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Globally, many researchers have conducted a study on the quality of groundwater and pollution sources affected by the industrial and natural process (Selvakumar et al., 2017; Al-Sudani, 2019). The risk of contamination of groundwater indicates that groundwater may be subject to unacceptable pollution due to human activities. This concept has been developed from the vulnerability of groundwater, which is therefore the most important part of the assessment of the risks of groundwater contamination (Sun et al., 2000; Foster et al., 2000). Groundwater pollution may remain undetected for a long time, where groundwater contamination from pumped wells may be detected as a first signs. Quality changes of surface water, such as rivers or lakes, may be due to contamination of groundwater. In the past two decades, awareness of groundwater pollution and contamination has been grown up (Amirabdollahian et al., 2013).
According to Ekubo et al., (2011), commitments to water contamination incorporate substances drawn from the air, residue from soil disintegration, synthetic composts and pesticides, overflow from septic tanks, surge from domesticated animals feedlots, chemical wastes from commercial ventures, and sewage and other urban wastes from urban areas and towns. Water contamination happens when pollutants are released specifically or in a indirectly into water bodies without sufficient treatment to expel hurtful compounds. Water contamination in Nigeria happens in both rural and urban zones. In rural regions, drinking water from normal sources, for example, waterways and streams is typically contaminated by natural substances from upstream clients who use water for agricultural exercises (Ekubo et al., 2011).
Numerous factories in Nigeria are situated on stream banks and utilize the waterways as open sewers for their effluents. The real commercial enterprises in charge of water contamination in Nigeria incorporate petroleum, mining wood and pulp, pharmaceuticals, textiles, plastics, iron and steel, brewing, distillery formation, paint and food. Of all these, the petroleum industry displays the greatest danger to water quality (Ekubo et al., 2011).
The issues connected with the absence of satisfactory water resources in the nation undermine to put the health of around 40 million individuals at danger. The general population most influenced has a tendency to be the urban and landless poor. In the long term, the present level of environmental degradation could make wellbeing issues from waterborne sicknesses for the vast majority of this populace (Ekubo et al., 2011).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Groundwater Contamination.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that groundwater pollution problem occurs when substances added to water to affect their chemical composition and caused threaten to human health and the ecosystem (Boyd, 2000; Al-Sudani, 2019). The challenges in setting up potable water supplies for communities have been a matter under discussion. Most cited reasons range from poor quality of borehole water, high seepage rates of water pans, and seasonality of streams (Hazra, 2013).
Sustainability of existing water projects has also proved difficult owing to poor management systems. Worse enough, prevailing poor sanitation conditions pose the greatest threat to water points. Previous studies in both urban and rural areas have concluded that contamination from on-site sanitation is a principal cause of contamination of water sources (Howard et al., 2013).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to investigate the Effect of Groundwater Contamination in Nigeria, particularly in Agbowo community, Ibadan of Oyo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To isolate the organism from groundwater in the area under; and
- To identify the isolates from groundwater in the area under study.
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant differences in the bacterial counts between covered and uncovered wells
- H1: There are significant differences in the bacterial counts between covered and uncovered wells
