Abstract
Numerous indicator models have been developed and utilized for the assessment of pollution levels in water resources. In the present study, modified water quality index (MWQI), integrated water quality index (IWQI), and entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) were integrated with statistical analysis for the assessment of drinking water quality in Umunya suburban district, Nigeria. There is no known study that has simultaneously compared their performances in water quality research. Overall, the results of this study showed that the water supplies are threatened by heavy metal pollution. The parametric quality rating analysis observed that Pb contamination has the most significant impact on the water supplies. Hierarchical cluster analysis was proved very efficient in the allotment of the possible sources of pollution in the study area. MWQI results classified the water supplies as “marginal”, signifying that they are frequently threatened. Based on the IWQI, 26.67% of the samples are suitable for drinking, 13.33% are acceptable for domestic uses, and 60% are unfit for drinking purposes. Similarly, the EWQI results showed that 60% of the samples are unfit for human consumption, whereas 40% are suitable. Investigation into the performance and sensitivity of the MWQI, IWQI and EWQI models in water quality assessment was analyzed and the results showed that they are all sensitive, efficient and effective tools. This study has indicated that the integration of the three models gives a better understanding of water quality. The excessive concentration of some potentially toxic heavy metals in the water supplies suggests that the contaminated water supplies should be treated before use.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adimalla, N., & Li, P. (2019). Occurrence, health risks, and geochemical mechanisms of fluoride and nitrate in ground-water of the rock dominant semi-arid region, Telangana State, India. Human Ecological Risk Assessment, 25(1–2), 81–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1480353
Adimalla, N., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2019). Evaluation of groundwater contamination for fluoride and nitrate in semi-arid region of Nirmal Province, South India: A special emphasis on human health risk assessment (HHRA). Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 25(5), 1107–1124. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1460579
Adimalla, N., Qian, H., & Li, P. (2020). Entropy water quality index and probabilistic health risk assessment from geochemistry of groundwaters in hard rock terrain of Nanganur County, South India. Geochemistry, 80(4), 125544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2019.125544
Adimalla, N., & Wang, H. (2018). Distribution, contamination, and health risk assessment of heavy metals in surface soils from northern Telangana, India. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11, 684. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-4028-y
Amiri, V., Rezaei, M., & Sohrabi, N. (2014). Groundwater quality assessment using entropy weighted water quality index (EWQI) in Lenjanat, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3255-0
APHA. (2005). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (21st ed.). Washington DC: American Public Health Association.
Barzegar, R., Moghaddam, A. A., Soltani, S., Baomid, N., Tziritis, E., Adamowski, J., & Inam, A. (2019). Natural and anthropogenic origins of selected trace elements in the surface waters of Tabriz area, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences, 78, 254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8250-z
BIS. (2012). Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 10500). Guidelines for drinking water quality standards.
Chowdhury, B. A., & Chandra, R. K. (1987). Biological and health implications of toxic heavy metal and essential trace element interactions. Progress in Food Nutrition Science, 11(1), 55–113.
Collin, J. W., Jennifer, N. P., John, M., Christopher, M. C., Scott, G., & Lynch, J. A. (2018). Estimating base cation weathering rates in USA: Challenges of uncertain soil mineralogy and specific surface area with the application of PROFILE model. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 222(3), 61–90.
Egbueri, J. C. (2018). Assessment of the quality of groundwaters proximal to dumpsites in Awka and Nnewi metropolises: A comparative approach. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 2(1–4), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-018-0004-1
Egbueri, J. C. (2019a). Water quality appraisal of selected farm provinces using integrated hydrogeochemical, multi-variate statistical, and microbiological technique. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 5(3), 997–1013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00585-z
Egbueri, J. C. (2019b). Evaluation and characterization of the groundwater quality and hydrogeochemistry of Ogbaru farming district in southeastern Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences, 1(8), 851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-0853-1
Egbueri, J. C. (2020a). Heavy metals pollution source identification and probabilistic health risk assessment of shallow groundwater in Onitsha, Nigeria. Analytical Letters, 53(10), 1620–1638. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2020.1712606
Egbueri, J. C. (2020b). Groundwater quality assessment using pollution index of groundwater (PIG), ecological risk index (ERI) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA): A case study. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 10, 100292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2019.100292
Egbueri, J. C. (2021). Signatures of contamination, corrosivity and scaling in natural waters from a fast-developing suburb (Nigeria): Insights into their suitability for industrial purposes. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23(1), 591–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00597-1
Egbueri, J. C., & Igwe, O. (2021). The impact of hydrogeomorphological characteristics on gullying processes in erosion-prone geological units in parts of southeast Nigeria. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, 5(3), 227–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2020.1711637
Egbueri, J. C., Mgbenu, C. N., & Chukwu, C. N. (2019). Investigating the hydrogeochemical processes and quality of water resources in Ojoto and environs using integrated classical methods. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 5(4), 1443–1461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00613-y
Egbueri, J. C., & Unigwe, C. O. (2019). An integrated indexical investigation of selected heavy metals in drinking water resources from a coastal plain aquifer in Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences, 1(11), 1422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-1489-x
Egbueri, J. C., & Unigwe, C. O. (2020). Understanding the extent of heavy metal pollution in drinking water supplies from Umunya, Nigeria: An indexical and statistical assessment. Analytical Letters, 53(13), 2122–2144. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2020.1731521
Egbunike, M. E. (2018). Hydrogeochemical investigation of groundwater resources in Umunya and environs of the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 19(1), 351–366.
Ezugwu, C. K., Onwuka, O. S., Egbueri, J. C., Unigwe, C. O., & Ayejoto, D. A. (2019). Multi-criteria approach to water quality and health risk assessments in a rural agricultural province, southeast Nigeria. HydroResearch, 2, 40–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydres.2019.11.005
Feng, Y., Fanghui, Y., & Li, C. (2019). Improved Entropy Weighting Model in Water Quality Evaluation. Water Resources Management, 33(6), 2049–2056.
Gorgij, A. D., Kisi, O., Moghaddam, A. A., & Taghipour, A. (2017). Groundwater quality ranking for drinking purposes, using the entropy method and the spatial autocorrelation index. Environmental Earth Sciences, 76(7), 269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6589-6
Hortz, C., & Brown, K. H. (2004). International zinc nutrition consultative group (IZiNCG) technical document No. 1. Assessment of the risk of zinc deficiency in populations and options for its control. Food and Nutrition Bulletin., 25, S94–S203.
Li, P., He, X., & Guo, W. (2019). Spatial groundwater quality and potential health risks due to nitrate ingestion through drinking water: A case study in Yan’an City on the Loess Plateau of northwest China. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 25(1–2), 11–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1553612
Li, P., & Qian, H. (2018). Water resources research to support a sustainable China. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 34(3), 327–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2018.1452723
Li, P., Qian, H., & Wu, J. (2010). Groundwater quality assessment based on improved water quality index in Pengyang County, Ningxia, northwest China. E-Journal of Chemistry, 7, 209–216.
Li, P., Tian, R., Xue, C., & Wu, J. (2017). Progress, opportunities and key fields for groundwater quality research under the impacts of human activities in China with a special focus on western China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(15), 13224–13234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8753-7
Li, P., Wu, J., Tian, R., He, S., He, X., Xue, C., & Zhang, K. (2018). Geochemistry, hydraulic connectivity and quality appraisal of multilayered groundwater in the Hongdunzi Coal Mine, northwest China. Mine Water and the Environment, 37(2), 222–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0507-8
Liao, F., Wang, G., Shi, Z., Huang, X., Xu, F., Xu, Q., & Guo, L. (2018). Distributions, sources, and species of heavy metals/trace elements in shallow groundwater around the Poyang Lake, East China. Exposure and Health, 10(4), 211–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-017-0256-8
Ma, L., Hu, L., Feng, X., & Wang, S. (2018). Nitrate and nitrite in health and disease. US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health., 9(5), 938–945.
Mgbenu, C. N., & Egbueri, J. C. (2019). The hydrogeochemical signatures, quality indices and health risk assessment of water resources in Umunya district, southeast Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 9(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0900-5
Mukate, S., Wagh, V., Panaskar, D., Jacobs, J. A., & Sawant, A. (2019). Development of new integrated water quality index (IWQI) model to evaluate the drinking suitability of water. Ecological Indictors, 101, 348–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.01.034
Nfor, B. N., Olobaniyi, S. B., & Ogala, J. E. (2007). Extent and distribution of groundwater resources in parts of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 11(2), 215–221.
NIS. (2007). Nigerian standard for drinking water quality. Nigerian Industrial Standard, 554, 13–14.
Nwajide, C. S. (1979). A lithostratigraphic analysis of the Nanka Sand, Southeast Nigeria. Niger J Min Geol, 16, 103–109.
Nwajide, C. S. (2006). Outcrop analogues as a learning facility for sub-surface practitioner: The value of geological field trips. Pet Train J, 3, 58–68.
Nwajide, C. S. (2013). Geology of Nigeria’s sedimentary basins. CSS Press.
Okoro, E. I., Egboka, B. C. E., & Onwuemesi, A. G. (2010). Evaluation of the aquifer characteristics of the Nanka sand using hydrogeological method in combination with vertical electric sounding (VES). Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 14(2), 5–9.
Sale, J., Yahaya, A., Ejim, C., & Okpe, I. (2019). Physicochemical assessment of water quality in selected borehole450 in Anyigba Town, Kogi State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 23(4), 711–714.
Shankar, B. S., & Sreevidya, R. (2019). A novel approach for the formulation of modified water quality index and its application for groundwater quality appraisal and grading. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2019.1688638
Singh, K. R., Dutta, R., Kalamdhad, A. S., & Kumar, B. (2019). Review of existing heavy metal contamination indices and development of an entropy-based improved indexing approach. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-019-00549-4
Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). (2015). Nigerian standard for drinking water quality (pp. 15–16). SON Publication.
Ukah, B. U., Ameh, P. D., Egbueri, J. C., Unigwe, C. O., & Ubido, O. E. (2020). Impact of effluent-derived heavy metals on the groundwater quality in Ajao industrial area, Nigeria: An assessment using entropy water quality index (EWQI). International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 4(3), 231–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-020-00058-5
Ukah, B. U., Egbueri, J. C., Unigwe, C. O., & Ubido, O. E. (2019). Extent of heavy metals pollution and health risk assessment of groundwater in a densely populated industrial area, Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 3(4), 291–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-019-00039-3
Wagh, V. M., Panaskar, D. B., Mukate, S. V., Gaikwad, S. K., Muley, A. A., & Varade, A. M. (2018). Health risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in groundwater of Kadava River Basin, Nashik, India. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-018-0496-z
Wang, D., Wu, J., Wang, Y., & Ji, Y. (2020). Finding high-quality groundwater resources to reduce the hydatidosis incidence in the Shiqu county of Sichuan Province, China: Analysis, assessment, and management. Exposure and Health, 12(2), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-019-00314-y
WHO. (2017). Guidelines for drinking water quality (3rd ed.). World Health Organization.
Wu, J., Li, P., & Qian, H. (2011). Groundwater quality in Jingyuan county, a semi-humid area in Northwest China. E-Journal of Chemistry, 8(2), 787–793.
Wu, J., Li, P., Wang, D., Ren, X., & Wei, M. (2020). Statistical and multivariate statistical techniques to trace the sources and affecting factors of groundwater pollution in a rapidly growing city on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 26(6), 1603–1621. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2019.1594156
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors hereby declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding this work.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Unigwe, C.O., Egbueri, J.C. Drinking water quality assessment based on statistical analysis and three water quality indices (MWQI, IWQI and EWQI): a case study. Environ Dev Sustain 25, 686–707 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02076-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02076-7