Metal and Microbial Contamination in the Water Available for Agriculture in Selected Farm Settlements in Nigeria

Background and Objective: Several diseases have been reportedly linked to the consumption of water with metal and/or microbial contamination, or agricultural produce watered by such method. This study assessed the water available for agriculture in three selected farm settlements in Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: As 15, 12 and 5 water samples from the Ajegunle, Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements, respectively were analyzed for 11 heavy and trace metals and 7 microbial populations, using standard laboratory procedures, for dry and wet seasons. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests were done using SPSS, version 20. Pollution sources were apportioned using Principal Component Analysis while seasonal spatial variation maps were generated via the Inverse Density Weighted method. Results: Water from the three farm settlements showed possibilities of cadmium, iron, manganese, E. coli and streptococcal contaminations. The pollution sources identified were bedrock weathering, fertilizer/agricultural waste/run-off leachates, agricultural activities, fecal contamination, livestock agricultural wastes, sewage effluents and organic decomposition. Spatial maps showing the existing distributions of selected metals and microbial populations within Ajegunle and Akufo farm settlements were produced. Conclusion: This research has generated information for the eradication or substantial reduction of the potential harm of metal and microbial contamination to the farm settlers and consumers of their agricultural produce.