Hydrogeochemical facies and pollution status of groundwater resources of Owerri and environs, Southeastern Nigeria

The aim of the study was to assess the status of groundwater quality of Owerri and environs, for drinking and irrigation purposes. Twenty-two (22) groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for both chemical and physical compositions. The result of the study showed that groundwater in the area is of good quality for drinking purposes, except for pH and Fe, which had higher concentrations in some areas. A weak correlation matrix within the sampled parameters of the groundwater was observed. Hydrogeochemical studies revealed that 91% of the samples are within the geochemical zone of 4 (strong acids (SO4 + Cl) exceed weak acids (CO3 + HCO3)), while 9% are of the geochemical zone of 3 (weak acids (CO3 + HCO3) exceed strong acids (SO4 + Cl)). The study shows an ionic trend of Cl- > Ca2+ > HCO3- > Na+ + K+ > Mg2+ > SO42- and hydrogeochemical facies of Na-Cl, Ca-Cl, Ca-CO3, Mg-Cl, and Mg-HCO3 of 45.5%, 36.4%, 4.5%, 4.5%, and 9.1% respectively. Chloro-alkaline values were negative except for B4 which was positive. The water quality index (WQI) revealed water quality status of excellent (4.5%), good (27.3%), poor (40.9%), and very poor (27.3%). Contamination factor (CF) reveals that the groundwater is slightly polluted while the pollution load index (PLI) revealed no noticeable pollution. Gibbs diagram revealed that the entire samples are within the rock dominance zone. Irrigation suitability studies showed that SAR of the groundwater was of excellent quality; %Na had good quality (27.3%), permissible quality (45.4%), and doubtful quality (27.3%); MH had 86.4% of the groundwater suitable, while 13.6% are not suitable; KR had suitable groundwater (59.1%) and unsuitable (40.9%); while the Wilcox diagram had 72.7% excellent water for irrigation and 27.3% permissible for irrigation. A routine check of groundwater in the study area is recommended.