Surreal image of Nigeria shaped from water droplets, representing groundwater resources.

Is Your Water Safe? Unveiling the Secrets of Ibadan's Groundwater

Elliot Brynn in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into an investigative look at the hydrogeochemistry of Ibadan's groundwater, revealing potential risks and ensuring access to safe drinking water."

Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, crucial for maintaining health, supporting economic activities, and ensuring sustainable development. Water is essential for everything from daily household use to fueling industrial processes and irrigating agricultural lands. Recognizing its importance, governments worldwide are working towards providing reliable sources of potable water, often through initiatives like solar-powered boreholes.

However, relying solely on surface water sources isn't always sufficient. Take Ibadan, Nigeria, for example. Its residents have historically depended on water from the Asejire and Eleyele waterworks. With increasing population and growing demand, these sources are proving inadequate, leading individuals and communities to seek alternative solutions such as motorized boreholes and hand-dug wells.

But accessing groundwater isn't enough. The quality of this water is paramount. Groundwater chemistry is influenced by the interaction between water and the surrounding subsurface materials, making it vital to understand the composition and potential contaminants present. This article delves into a recent study examining the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in Ibadan, Nigeria, revealing valuable insights into its portability and overall quality.

Decoding Ibadan's Groundwater: What the Science Reveals

Surreal image of Nigeria shaped from water droplets, representing groundwater resources.

A recent study investigated groundwater within the lateritic profiles—weathered layers of soil and rock—over migmatite and pegmatised schist formations in Ibadan. Researchers collected water samples from various locations to analyze their physical and chemical properties. This analysis aimed to determine the water's suitability for various uses, including drinking, domestic purposes, industrial applications, and irrigation.

Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

Temperature: Water temperatures ranged from 23.9 to 32.7°C.
Electrical Conductivity: Measured between 60 to 580 µS/cm, indicating the water's ability to conduct electrical current due to dissolved salts.
pH Levels: Ranging from 5.5 to 7.3, indicating slightly acidic to neutral conditions.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Concentrations varied from 55 to 422 mg/L, reflecting the amount of minerals and salts dissolved in the water.
Cations: Major cations like Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), and Potassium (K+) were present within specific concentration ranges.
Anions: Anions such as Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Sulfate (SO42-), Chloride (Cl-), and Nitrate (NO3-) were also measured.

The study identified the groundwater as primarily a Na-(K)-HCO3 water type. Generally, the levels of cations, anions, and trace metals fell within the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, suggesting good water quality. The researchers concluded that the low chemical constituents reflect geogenic input primarily from the weathering of basement rocks.

Protecting Our Water: Ensuring a Sustainable Future

The study provides valuable insights into the groundwater quality in Ibadan, Nigeria, highlighting its suitability for various uses. However, continuous monitoring and proactive measures are crucial to safeguard this precious resource. By understanding the hydrogeochemistry of our water, we can make informed decisions, implement effective protection strategies, and ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations. Let's work together to protect our water, protect our health, and protect our future.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/jgmr2016.0261, Alternate LINK

Title: Hydrogeochemistry Of Groundwater Within The Lateritic Profiles Over Migmatite And Pegmatised Schist Of Ibadan, Nigeria

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Journal of Geology and Mining Research

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: Temidayo Bolarinwa Anthony

Published: 2017-10-31

Everything You Need To Know

What does the hydrogeochemistry study reveal about the groundwater in Ibadan, Nigeria?

The hydrogeochemistry study in Ibadan revealed several key aspects of the groundwater. It analyzed the water's physical and chemical properties, including temperature, electrical conductivity, pH levels, total dissolved solids (TDS), and the concentrations of major cations (Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium) and anions (Bicarbonate, Sulfate, Chloride, Nitrate). The study found that the groundwater is primarily a Na-(K)-HCO3 water type, and that the levels of cations, anions, and trace metals generally met World Health Organization (WHO) standards, suggesting good water quality. The low chemical constituents reflect geogenic input primarily from the weathering of basement rocks.

Why is understanding the hydrogeochemistry of Ibadan's groundwater so important?

Understanding the hydrogeochemistry of Ibadan's groundwater is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps determine the water's suitability for different uses, such as drinking, domestic purposes, industrial applications, and irrigation. Secondly, it allows for the identification of potential contaminants and risks associated with the water. By analyzing the chemical composition, we can assess whether the water meets safety standards, thus protecting public health. Moreover, this understanding enables informed decision-making and the implementation of effective protection strategies to ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations. This is particularly important given the increasing population and reliance on groundwater as alternative sources to surface water.

What are the main sources of water in Ibadan, and why is groundwater becoming increasingly important?

Historically, residents of Ibadan have relied on surface water sources, specifically the Asejire and Eleyele waterworks. However, due to the growing population and the increasing demand for water, these sources have become insufficient. Consequently, individuals and communities have turned to alternative solutions like motorized boreholes and hand-dug wells to access groundwater. The rising importance of groundwater highlights the need to understand its quality and potential risks associated with its use.

What are the implications of the study's findings on the groundwater quality in Ibadan?

The study's findings suggest that the groundwater in Ibadan generally exhibits good quality, as the measured levels of cations, anions, and trace metals mostly met the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. This indicates that the water is likely suitable for various uses, including drinking and domestic purposes. The study also points out the importance of the geological context (weathering of basement rocks) and its influence on the groundwater chemistry. However, the study underscores the need for continuous monitoring and proactive measures to safeguard this precious resource and maintain its quality for the long term, ensuring the water remains safe and sustainable for future use.

How do factors like Electrical Conductivity, pH, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) impact the usability of Ibadan's groundwater?

Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH levels, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are crucial indicators of water quality that significantly impact the usability of Ibadan's groundwater. EC, which ranged from 60 to 580 µS/cm, indicates the water's ability to conduct electricity, reflecting the presence of dissolved salts. High EC can affect taste and potentially indicate the presence of undesirable substances. pH levels, which ranged from 5.5 to 7.3, determine the acidity or alkalinity of the water. While this range is slightly acidic to neutral, extreme values can corrode pipes and impact the effectiveness of disinfection processes. TDS, with concentrations varying from 55 to 422 mg/L, reflects the total amount of minerals and salts dissolved in the water. High TDS can also affect taste and may indicate the presence of contaminants. Understanding these factors is essential in determining the water's suitability for different uses and in implementing appropriate treatment strategies to ensure its safety and quality.