The Concentrations of Lead in Ahmadu Bello University Dam Raw, Treated (Tap) and ABUCONS Pure Waters

Abstract

Raw water samples were collected from 10 different locations of ABU dam between May, 2001 and
 April, 2002. Similarly, samples of treated (tap) water from the same ABU waterworks were collected
 from 50 different locations throughout the university community during the same period.  Samples of
 packaged water (ABUCONS water) from the same source were collected during the same period. All
 these samples were analysed for lead (Pb). Established collection, preservation and storage
 methodologies were used to ensure that each sample was representative of ABU Dam water quality.
 This study which involved 20 analytes per sample and 112 samples suggested that the most significant
 health risk from drinking ABU Dam water was danger of chronic lead poisoning. The lead concentration
 ranged from 0.0007 to 0.34 mg/L, with 48% of samples above the 0.05 - 0.1mg/L, WHO drinking water
 guideline. However, there were very low levels of lead concentration ranging from 0.0004 – 0.038 mg/L
 for the packaged water (ABUCONS water) samples analysed.