Abstract

Freshwater contamination poses several serious risks to human health. This study was designed to determine the level of faecal and heavy metal contamination in and around some freshwaters in Ijebu North, southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples collected from the vicinities of the freshwater bodies were examined parasitological using test tube floatation method. Soil and water samples were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn. Total viable count and faecal coliform count (FCC) were determined in Omi and Areru streams. Ascaris lumbricoides was most frequent around the water bodies. At Konigba pond, Cu, Cd and Zn had mean concentrations 2.10 ± 0.55, 0.50 ± 0.23 and 4.98 ± 2.25 mg/kg, respectively, while at Ajeri pond, Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn had mean concentrations 6.19 ± 1.56, 2.51 ± 1.99, 0.41 ± 0.15 and 58.07 ± 39.29 mg/kg, respectively. In Omi and Areru TCC ranged 5.2 - 15.4 and 4.8 - 12.2 cfu / ml × 10⁴, respectively. The ranges of Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn in Omi were 1.8 - 5.9, 0.12 - 1.18, 0.09 - 0.74, and 11.0 - 23.44 mg/l, respectively, while they were 2.1 - 5.6, 0.09 - 1.36, 0.05 - 0.79 and 11.24 - 17.34 mg/l, respectively in Areru. The study showed the need to provide regular potable water and educate the inhabitants of the study area.

Key words: Freshwater, parasitic helminthes, heavy metals, coliform bacteria, Nigeria.