WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF RIVER ETHIOPE IN THE NIGER-DELTA COAST OF NIGERIA

The water quality assessment of river Ethiope in the Niger-delta coast of Nigeria was investigated. The study involved the collection of water samples from sampling stations A to G. The physiochemical and bacteriological parameters were analysed using APHA and ASTM standard methods of analysis. The water quality was assessed using general quality assessment (GQA) grading, Federal environment protection agency (FEPA) standard and World health organization (WHO) standard.The results show that the quality of the river varies station to station along its course. The water from station A and G, B and F, D and E, and C were assessed to be "Fairly Good", "Fair", "Poor" and "Bad" respectively.. This indicates that quality of water in river Ethiope depends on the point of collection. Also, as the river flows, the water quality diminished, but the final quality at station G shows that the river has a good self-purification capacity, hence despite the pollution on the River, the water quality is good at a particular station.