SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS FROM AGROCHEMICAL POLLUTION AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Groundwater represents a primary source of drinking water for rural dwellers.However, it is highly susceptible to contamination by agrochemical pollutants like herbicides and fertilizers resulting from intensive agricultural activities that sustain their livelihoods.This study assessed the rural dwellers' water quality and health risks from agrochemical pollution in Ogun State.200 farmers selected through a multistage sampling procedure were interviewed using a questionnaire to elicit information on agrochemical application and disposal methods.Descriptive statistics, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and human health risk analysis were employed for data analysis.Findings showed that 75.5%, 92.5% and 60.5% applied fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides respectively.Also, most (21.0%) of the respondents flush the remaining agrochemicals into the stream.The water samples had a mean value concentration of copper, lead, cadmium, iron and chromium of 2.5 mg/l, 0.018 mg/l, 0.06 mg/l, 0.5 mg/l and 0.004 mg/l, respectively, with pH values between 5.2 and 6.4, electrical conductivity values between 354.5 and 1591 S/cm, and a mean total dissolved solids value of 535.667256.746.These results exceeded the World Health Organization's acceptable threshold for quality water.A significant portion of the water examined had cancer risk values of more than 0.0001 and a water hazard index mean value of 2.070.9911,suggesting that drinking the sampled water may have negative impacts on the respondents.Water bodies were highly contaminated with heavy metals, suggesting carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic adverse effects among the dwellers.The study recommends an advocacy campaign on the safe use of agrochemicals to reduce risk to human health.