ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR

IRRIGATION PURPOSES IN PART OF MINNA SHEET 164,

NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

1
Ameh I. M.2Ibrahim H. A., 3Amadi A. N., 4Dan-Hassan, M. A., 3Omanayin, Y. A.,
3
Abubakar A. E.

1
Pioneer Geoservices Limited, Lane 1, Brighter Avenue, Western Bypass, Minna, Niger State
2
Department of Geology, UsmanDanfodio University, Sokoto
3
Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Minna,
4
FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Area 3, Garki, Abuja

Abstract NAH 028

31 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER, 2022
PRESENTATION OUTLINE

 Introduction
 Statement of the Research Problem
 Study Area Description
 Aim and Objectives
 Materials and Methods
 Results Presentation and Discussion
 Conclusions
 Vote of Thanks
 INTRODUCTION
In the domestic, agricultural and industrial realms, water is an
indispensable resource.

Based on the quality attribute, surface and groundwater can be used

for agricultural purposes including irrigation farming

The chemical composition of water determines whether it can be used

for irrigational purposes without deleterious effects

Other factors such as nature and composition of the soil and subsoil,
depth of the water table, topography, climate, type of crop, vegetation
and farming method affects plant productivity.

The adverse effects of irrigation water quality on soil physical

properties is associated with the accumulation of sodium ion on the
soil exchange complex, which imparts instability to the soil aggregates
and this is followed by dispersion of clay particles resulting in
clogging of soil pores (Amadi et al, 2022).
 INTRODUCTION CONT’D
Previous studies (Helena et al., 2000; DanHassan et al., 2016 ; Amadi
et al., 2020) have shown that the parameters affecting the suitability of
water for irrigation purposes include;

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR)
Permeability Index (PI)
Kelly’s ratio (KR)
 Study Area Description
Temperature -----Annual mean of about 30°C

Rainfall -------Average annual is about 240mm.

Vegetation -------- Guinea savannah type

Figure 1a. INDEX TO ADJOINING SHEETS

(Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation,
Abuja, Nigeria, 2012)

Figure 1b. Map of Niger State indicating the study area (NISGIS, 2019)
 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Groundwater quality evaluation in parts of Minna Sheet 164

North Central, Nigeria for irrigation purposes is the aim of this
research. This is neccessary to ensure an all year round
farming where rain-fall farming is supplemented with
irrigation farming in order to achieve food security for the
state with the largest land mass in the country
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
Groundwater samples were collected in acid-washed polyethylene 500 ml
bottle. The samples were collected after about 5 - 10 min of steady pumping

The water samples were kept in a cooler with ice-blocks and were transported to
the laboratory that same day

Precautions were taken to avoid sample agitation during transfer to the

laboratory.

Samples were analyzed in the laboratory for the major ionic concentrations
employing standard methods [APHA, 2008].
-Calcium and magnesium were determined titrimetrically
-Chloride by standard AgNO3 titration,
-Bicarbonate by titration with HCl while
-Sodium and potassium were determined through flame photometry.

The samples were analyzed at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources,

Regional Water Quality Laboratory Minna, Niger State
 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONT’D
Table 1: Irrigation Quality Indices
 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONT’D
Table 2. Irrigation Water Quality Classification Schemes, Categories and Value Range
(Wilcox, 1955)
Classification Scheme Categories Range
SSP (%) Good <50
Bad >50
SAR Excellent <10
Good 10-18
Doubtful 18-26
Unsuitable >26
MAR (%) Suitable <50
Unsuitable >50
KR (meq/l) Good <1
Unsuitable >1
 RESULTS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION CONT’D

Table 3: Statistical Summary of Water Quality Parameters for Irrigation

Parameters Minimum Maximum Mean

SAR 0.010 02.11 0.37
SSP (%) 0.085 75.19 40.46
MAR (%) 35.474 64.25 32.05
KR (meq/l) 0.066 02.34 0.34
EC (µs/cm) 60. 200 419.80 115.30
TDS (mg/l) 20.400 249.40 67.85
pH 06.200 07.25 6.85

Table 4. Limits of some parameter indices for rating Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for
Irrigation (.Ayers and Wescot, 1985; Michael, 1978;)
Category EC (µS/cm) SAR SSP (%) Suitability for
Irrigation
I <117.51 <10.0 <20.0 Excellent
Ii 117.51-508.61 10.0-18.0 20.0-40.0 Good
Iii >508.61 18.0-26.0 40.0-80.0 Fair
Iv – >26.0 >80.0 Poor
 RESULTS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION CONT’D

USSL Salinity Hazard Diagram

Figure -2. USSL Salinity Hazard diagram for classification of groundwater quality for irrigation purpose
 RESULTS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION CONT’D

Figure - 3 Wilcox’s diagram for classification of groundwater quality in Niger East

 CONCLUSION
The suitability of groundwater in parts of Minna Sheet 164 was
evaluated for irrigation purposes in the present study.

The concentration of the physical parameters (pH, EC and TDS)

falls within the allowable limit of irrigation water postulated by the
World Health Organization and Nigerian Standard for Drinking
Water Quality.

The computed values of SAR, MAR, SSP and KR when compared

with other known standards were also found to be within the zone of
good to excellent for water intended for irrigation use.

The study established that the groundwater resources from parts of

Minna Sheet 164 can be efficiently and effectively used for
irrigation purposes, to argument the over-dependence on rainfall
farming in the area.