Evaluation of Physical and Chemical Properties of Maikunkele Stream for Irrigation Purpose Using Water Quality Index

The study is aimed at using water quality index (WQI) as a standard for determining the suitability of the surface water for irrigation purpose within the Maikunkele Fadama area in Niger State, Nigeria by monitoring five sampling points for five months. The samples were analyzed for includes nitrate (NO 3 ), phosphate (PO 4 ), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), besides other general parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity). The WQI for the parameters under investigation were determined and values compared international standards. The mean temperature value ranged between 29.5 and 30.4 o C, while pH values of 7.18 maximum and 5.95 minimum were observed for the study location. The electrical conductivity ranged between 174 and 274 µScm -1 . The mean concentration of calcium ion ranged between 3.68 and 4.44 mgL -1 . The concentration of Fe was 0.13 mgL -1 and 1.48 mgL -1 . The minimum and maximum values of Zn are 0.01 mgL -1 and 0.17 mgL -1 respectively. The Maikunkele Fadama stream had WQI value ranging from 43.469 to 47.120 which fall under good water category, these also conforms to the results obtained from the analysis carried out. It is therefore concluded that the stream water feeding the Maikunkele Fadama farm is fit to be used as irrigation water for the study area as Fadama stream had WQI value ranging from 43.469 to 47.120 thus falling under good water category as far as water quality for irrigation purpose is concerned. Hence, the stream water feeding the Maikunkele fadama farm is fit to be used as irrigation water. Keywords- Agrochemicals, contamination, fadama farming, Irrigation water, water quality index