The Seasonal Variation of Well Water Physical and Chemical Properties in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

A study on the seasonal variation of well water physical and chemical properties in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria is necessary because the composition of well water fluctuate with respect to time, season and climate. The objectives were to assess the physical and chemical properties of well water in the study area in both rainy and dry season and compare the physical and chemical properties of well water between the seasons. Survey research design was used for this study. Eighteen (18) well water samples were collected in dry and rainy season each in six purposely selected wards in the study area and analyzed in the laboratory for physiochemical properties. Data was analyzed from the laboratory result, while range, mean and t test statistical methods was further used. Result shows the concentration of parameters in dry season as follows: temperature (29.52-30.86), pH (6.83-7.86 Oc), EC (122-154 μs/cm3), TDS (119-144mg/l), turbidity (2.36-5.37 NTU), total hardness (12.13-30.46 mg/l), K (3.03-4.84 mg/l), Na (3.20-6.30 mg/l), Cl- (1.03-16.86 mg/l), Pb (0.002- 0.007 mg/l), Cr (0.016-0.086 mg/l),Cd (0.015-0.092 mg/l) and Cu (0.01-0.12 mg/l). But in rainy season they were: temperature (25.59-30.73Oc), pH (6.98-8.23), EC (222-354 μs/cm3), TDS (12.14-14.54mg/l), turbidity (0.26-0.93NTU), total hardness (13.58-39.72mg/l), K (3.05-5.09mg/l), Na (4.11-5.65mg/l), Cl- (4.29-8.93mg/l), Pb (0.001-0.02 1mg/l), Cr (0.006-0.021mg/l),Cd (0.002-0.039mg/l) and Cu (0.01-0.06mg/l).Though, all the parameters differ between seasons, only EC and TDS differs significantly at 0.05.It was concluded that well water in the study area are more polluted in dry season than in rainy season. Therefore, season is vital in water planning and exploration of other sources in dry season was recommended.