EFFECTS OF WATER TURBIDITY ON HUMAN HEALTH A STUDY OF GBARAMATU KINGDOM IN WARRI SOUTH – WEST, DELTA STATE - NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of water turbidity on Human Health in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Turbidity in water is a measurement of how cloudy or murky a body of water is. It also measures the cloudiness of water and indicates water quality and filtration effectiveness. Turbidity is caused by particles of soil, organic matter, algae, metals, or similar matter suspended in the water column. These particles scatter light and make the water appear cloudy or murky. Secchi Disc (SD) is used to measure the amount of water turbidity. Bore-holes, sea and rain water are the major sources of water here. Higher turbidity level is often associated with higher level of diseases-causes micro organisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, skin rashes and lung irritation. Most of the cholera, and enteric fever prevail due to unsafe drinking water clubbed with the environmental factors. Many of the diseases caused by the human consumption of impure water are preventable if proper health and sanitation standards are enforced. Effort should be put in place by the Government to ensure the provision of treated, safe and quality drinking water such as drilling of bore-hall. Well and Bore-hall water which serve as the sources of water should be treated. Water Safety Plan (WSPs) should be used to monitor sources of water quality, the effectiveness of coagulation and clarification, filtration and disinfection performance in a water treatment plant, and the effectiveness of distribution system management. diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery,