Assesment of heavy metals contamination in groundwater: A case study of central industrial district in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Heavy metals were investigated in groundwater in the central industrial district of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Water and sediment samples from 8 wells in the district and 2 away from the district (control) were analysed to assess the suitability of the water for human consumption and domestication purposes. The measured heavy metals concentrations exceeded the World Heaith Organization (WHO) standard guideline for potable water usage. The result reflects probable pollution from the industrial effluent which are often released into storm water runways without further treatment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and principal component (PCA) analysis were used to describe the data.