Physiochemical Properties and Heavy Metals Present in Well Water at Iworoko

Water is a clear, colourless, tasteless and odorless liquid that is essential for life. Water is among the natural resources that occupies 70% of the earth surface. The two major sources of freshwater are the surface water and groundwater. The groundwater offers a valued fresh water resource to human population and creates about two-third of the fresh water reserves presently occupying various spaces across the world. A water well is used to access groundwater in the underground aquifers. In this research, well water from different locations were analyzed using standard methods. The analysis of the well water samples revealed significant variations in both heavy metal concentrations and physicochemical properties, which have implications for water quality and public health. Heavy metals such as lead (0.267–0.900 mg/L), cadmium (0.7614–0.7776mg/L), and chromium (0.2399–0.4586 mg/L) exceeded the World Health Organization’s permissible limits, posing risks of neurotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and kidney damage. Conversely, copper and zinc concentrations remained within safe limits. The physicochemical properties showed alkaline pH values (8.64–10.17), high total hardness (1,130–1,950 mg/L), and elevated turbidity, conductivity, and free CO2 levels, which exceed acceptable drinking water standards. These findings highlight the impact of industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities on groundwater quality, necessitating immediate interventions such as regular monitoring, effective water treatment, and sustainable waste management to mitigate health risks