Physiochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State-Nigeria

This study assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater from 16 boreholes in Ikom Local Government Area (LGA), Cross River State, Nigeria, with the aim of determining its suitability for domestic use and identifying potential contamination risks.The parameters measured included temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate, nitrite, and selected heavy metals, alongside bacteriological analysis.Standard methods prescribed by the American Public Health Association (APHA, 1998) were employed for sample collection, preservation, and laboratory analysis.Data were statistically analysed, and the Groundwater Pollution Index (GWPI) was applied for water quality classification.Results showed that most physicochemical and bacteriological values were within the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, with GWPI values indicating that the groundwater could be classified as "pure" across the sampled locations.However, notable relationships were observed, including a strong positive correlation between turbidity and temperature (r = 0.705) and between biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and EC (r = 0.734), suggesting the influence of interconnected environmental and anthropogenic factors on water quality.The findings imply that groundwater in Ikom LGA is generally safe for domestic consumption at present.Nevertheless, potential risks remain, particularly from heavy metals such as lead, which require close regulatory oversight.The study concludes by recommending the establishment of a continuous groundwater monitoring framework, stricter control of contaminant sources, and further investigation into seasonal variations and emerging pollutants to safeguard long-term water quality.