Research Article
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Some Local Plants in Purification of Water Samples from Selected Sources
Suleiman Fanika,
Taofeek Alimi*,
Mohammed Zakariyawu
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
105-115
Received:
5 September 2026
Accepted:
20 September 2026
Published:
9 October 2026
Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of local plants such as banana peel, watermelon seed, neem leaf and orange peel in treating borehole and well water around Kontagora in Nigeria. Chemical coagulants such as alums present hazard and economic shortcomings in water treatment. They reduce water pH due to their acidic nature, against the pH 6.5 – 8.5 standard recommended for potable water. It is therefore, desirable to replace these chemical coagulants with plant-based ones, which are economic and environmental friendly. This study analysed some physicochemical parameters such as temperature, conductivity, and others, and heavy metals such as Cu, Fe and Pb before and after treatment with plant-based coagulants and alum. From the results, irrespective of water sample type and coagulant, the conductivities measurement before treatment was 28.8 – 30.6 µs/cm, and increased to 34.8 – 48.0 µs/cm for alum. The range was 37.6 – 48.8 µs/cm for plant-based. Turbidity before treatment ranged 0.96 – 6.50 NTU and decreased to the range 0.1 – 0.36 NTU for alum and 0.05 – 0.09 for plant-based. Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) before treatment ranged 4.00 – 7.00 mg/L and reduced to 2.15 – 4.00 mg/L for alum, 1.00 – 4.32 mg/L for plant-based. Total Hardness (TH) before treatment showed 28.00 – 32.00 mg/L range, which reduced to 28.00 – 30.00 mg/L for alum, 19.00 – 28.50 mg/L for plant-based. Most parameters, including alkalinity, acidity, BOD, DO, chloride, sulphate, colour and TSS showed improved performance with plant-based coagulants better than alum with values within the WHO standards for drinking water. Heavy metals analysed recorded varied concentrations: Fe in raw borehole water was 0.85 mg/L and reduced to 0.10 mg/L with alum, and 0.1 – 0.27 mg/L range with plant-based coagulants. Fe concentration in well water increased with all treatments, including alum. Cu, Fe and Pb concentrations in raw well water were 0.30 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L respectively, where Pb concentration was higher than the WHO limit of 0.01 mg/L set for drinking water. Pb was found below detection limit in borehole water. While alum reduced the levels of Cu to 0.07 mg/L, all the plant-based treatments increased its concentration within 0.1 – 0.87 mg/L range, which were below the 1.0 mg/L, WHO limits for Cu in drinking water. From these findings, in no particular order, the plant-based coagulants of banana peel, watermelon leaf and orange peel displayed greater potency for water treatment than neem leaf. Conclusively, all plant-based coagulants used in this study showcased better alternatives than alum.
Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of local plants such as banana peel, watermelon seed, neem leaf and orange peel in treating borehole and well water around Kontagora in Nigeria. Chemical coagulants such as alums present hazard and economic shortcomings in water treatment. They reduce water pH due to their acidic nature, against the pH 6.5 – 8...
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Research Article
Assessment of the Quality of Drinking Water in Saraba Neighborhood in Darou Khoudoss (Thies, Senegal)
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
116-123
Received:
17 August 2026
Accepted:
31 August 2026
Published:
20 October 2026
Abstract: Senegal, like all other developing countries, faces problems with access to drinking water. This study focused on evaluating the quality of drinking water in the Saraba neighborhood within the commune of Darou Khoudoss in the Thies region. The methodology involved collecting water samples from wells, boreholes, and taps, followed by physico-chemical analyses (T, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe2+, NO3-, SO42-, HCO3-, Cl-, F-) at the Hydrochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. The results show pH values for the well (5.60) and nitrate levels for the borehole (59.26 mg/L) and the well (288.97 mg/L) that are non-compliant. The analysis results show that a few parameters, namely the pH and nitrate content of the well and borehole, do not meet World Health Organization standards. NO3- ions have exceeded the threshold for human consumption (50 mg/l), which could be due to heavy agricultural activity in the area, but this water (well and borehole) can still be used for irrigation since it is used for making fertilizer. The well water has a high acidity level, which may render it unfit for human consumption. In general, water from wells and boreholes has characteristics that could expose local populations to health risks, underscoring the need for regular monitoring of their physicochemical and microbiological quality.
Abstract: Senegal, like all other developing countries, faces problems with access to drinking water. This study focused on evaluating the quality of drinking water in the Saraba neighborhood within the commune of Darou Khoudoss in the Thies region. The methodology involved collecting water samples from wells, boreholes, and taps, followed by physico-chemica...
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,
Ahmed Dame Mboup
