Analysis Of Physico-Chemical Properties of Rainwater and Groundwater in Gas Flare Environments in Rivers-East and Rivers-West Senatorial Districts of Rivers State

This study analyzes the physico-chemical quality of rainwater and groundwater in gas flare environments in Rivers East and West Senatorial Districts during the wet season of 2024. Four water samples (2 rainwater and 2 groundwater) were collected at 100 and 300 meters from the Olo or Rumuekpe and Ebocha, respectively, gas flare environments and analyzed for various parameters. Results showed that groundwater had higher mean concentrations for EC (81.83 ms/cm), TDS (92.50 mg/L), total alkalinity (10 mg/L), phosphate (1.08 mg/L), nitrate (1.73 mg/L), sulphate (7.33 mg/L), pH (7.07), DO (9.39 mg/L), BOD (13.27 mg/L), total hardness (44.51 mg/L), and COD (38.37 mg/L) compared to rainwater. Rainwater had higher turbidity (3.98 mg/L), temperature (28.86 °C), chloride (48.52 mg/L), and TSS (109.38 mg/L). The study recommends that the Rivers State Ministries of Health and Environment should strictly supervise borehole drilling to ensure compliance with safe drinking water standards that would prevent the occurrences of diarrhea, cholera and other waterborne diseases and public health issues associated with unsafe drinking water.