An assessment of the Effects of Housing Development on Water quality in Enugu Urban

Abstract

This study examined the effect of housing development on surface water quality in Enugu urban. The research design used for this study was experimental. A total of 11 samples of water were collected from the various selected site locations within the study area, in the three local government areas of Enugu urban. The water sample was collected with acid-washed and open dried polyethylene bottles, the samples were labeled according to their various rivers and streams, the polyethylene bottles were corked and were kept in ice-filled boxes, transported to PRODA for analysis. The major findings of the study showed that housing development in Enugu urban has a negative significant impact on water quality because Okwuosa river has an Organic matter level of 4.19 while WHO Limit is 2,9, therefore this aspect should be monitored for Okwuosa river in Enugu South. Other findings were Compared with the WHO standard and it showed that water quality deteriorates as housing development progresses. It is therefore the recommendation of the study that the housing authorities in Enugu state should institute measures to ensure that housing development does not compromise environmental quality and house owners and indeed all residents should be properly sensitized through environmental education on the dangers of abusing environmental standards.