Physicochemical Characteristics and Heavy Metals Levels of Rainwater Harvested from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Etche, Ikwerre, Ahoada West, Obio/Akpo and Akuku Toru LGAs in Rivers State, Nigeria

Rainwater harvesting is an alternative source of drinking water, however, harvesting rainwater in the oil and gas producing area of Niger Delta region could lead to poor quality water source as rainwater could pick up several contaminants in the atmosphere and at the rooftops. Therefore, the objective of the paper was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metals levels of rainwater harvested from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Etche, Ikwerre, Ahoada West, Obio/Akpo and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Results obtained show that the physio-chemical properties of the harvested rainwater in the study area was pH [5.33-5.80; 5.57 ± 0.056], EC [30.60-102.10; 44.31 ± 9.67], TSS 6.60-13.50; 8.85 ± 0.89], TDS [9.57-13.90; 11.30 ± 0.55], Cl [16.40-42.10; 24.76 ± 3.38], CaCO3 [13.40-46.50; 27.46 ± 3.72], NO3 [18.40-47.20; 37.00 ± 3.44], SO4 [2.52-42.90; 8.83 ± 5.68], NH4 [0.07-0.32; 0.25 ± 0.032] and metals levels (m/L), Na [1.55-12.40; 3.90 ± 1.45], Mg [0.60-56.60; 9.18 ± 7.91], Mn [0.18-2.55; 1.72 ± 0.30], Fe [0.21-0.48; 0.39 ± 0.037], Pb [0.01-0.74; 0.52 ± 0.095], Zn [0.27-3.82; 0.99 ± 0.47], Cu [0.04 1.87; 0.35 ± 0.26], Cd [0.03-0.05; 0.039 ± 0.0034], Cr [0.00-0.10; 0.027 ± 0.013] respectively. These data compared with regulatory (WHO and NSDWQ) standards reveal the harvested rainwater from the study area as a poor water quality source and could be at considerable risk for consumers. The study highlights the need for regular monitoring and treatment of harvested rainwater to ensure its safety for domestic use.