Qualitative Test of Water Produced at Taraba Water and Sewerage Corporation (Tawasco) From the Treatment Plant to Roadblock Within Jalingo Metropolis

Abstract

The investigation aimed to assess the quality of the water in terms of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), 
Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Hardness, Alkalinity, and Turbidity, with comparisons made against 
established safety limits. Water samples were collected from various points along the distribution network, 
including and the treatment plant, the reservoir, households 1, 2, and 3. The results revealed that the TDS 
levels ranged from 98 ppm to 158 ppm, all within the safe limit range of 50-150 ppm. EC values were 
measured below the safe limit of 400 S/m, indicating good conductivity and low ion concentration. pH 
levels varied slightly, with most falling within the acceptable range of 6.5-8.5, except for one household 
which exceeded the upper limit. Hardness levels were below the safe limit range of 120-170 mg/L, 
indicating soft water quality. Alkalinity values fell within the safe limit range of 30-400 ppm, suggesting 
adequate buffering capacity. Turbidity measurements were all below the safe limit of <1 NTU, indicating 
clear water free from suspended particles. Microbial analysis revealed that there was 4 and 32 Coliform/E. 
coli after 24 hours for Household 3 and treatment plant, respectively; all the households experienced TNTC 
of total plate count exception of treatment which had 40. Yeast and mould after 72 hours was observed to 
be 7, 60, and 50 for household 1, 3 and treatment plant, respectively; after 120 hours household 1 and
treatment plant had counts of 13, 71, and 83, respectively.