Assessing the Potability of Harvested Rainwater in Gas Flaring Zones: A Case Study of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

• Authors: Victor John Atoni , Ebizimor Alex Kiridi , Deinyefa Godfree Igbiriki , Nanaye Okpobolou , Queen Tamarabrakemi Conference
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Rainwater is naturally free from impurities except for atmospheric contaminants absorbed during precipitation. However, water quality may deteriorate during harvesting, storage, and domestic use, particularly in areas affected by industrial activities. This study assessed the potability of harvested rainwater from seven communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria (Ogboloma, Akaibiri, Gbarantoru, Obunagha, Ekpetiama, Tombia, and Agbai), located near gas flaring and oil exploration sites. Using 1-liter rubber gallons with attached funnels, samples were collected from rooftop runoff systems. Analysis revealed significant water quality variations across communities. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentrations ranged from 1 mg/L (Agbia) to 22 mg/L (Akaibiri), with Akaibiri and Ogboloma exceeding the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Heavy metal analysis showed consistent iron and nickel concentrations (≤0.01 mg/L), well below WHO's iron standards (0.3 mg/L acceptable, 1 mg/L allowable). Turbidity levels varied substantially, from 0.95 mg/L (Agbia) to 6.85 mg/L (Ogboloma), with multiple communities exceeding recommended limits. These findings demonstrate that while harvested rainwater in the region shows low heavy metal contamination, elevated TSS and turbidity levels in several communities indicate the necessity for proper treatment before consumption. The study recommends implementing filtration and purification systems to ensure safe drinking water in these oil-impacted areas.

Keywords

EN

Niger Delta; Rainwater harvesting; TSS; WHO standards; gas flaring pollution; heavy metals; water potability; water quality analysis

Discipline

• ENVIRONMENT_&_ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 62
• Pages: 17-45

Contributors

author

Victor John Atoni

• Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

author

Ebizimor Alex Kiridi

• Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

author

Deinyefa Godfree Igbiriki

• Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China

author

Nanaye Okpobolou

• Department of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

author

Queen Tamarabrakemi Conference

• Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

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• Document Type: article