Weighted Arithmetic Indexing for Assessing Water Quality in Artificial Fish Ponds in Makurdi Metropolis Nigeria

This study assessed water quality from selected artificial ponds in Makurdi City, Nigeria using weighted arithmetic index. Water samples were collected from nine sampling sites; earthen pond, concrete and other fish pond. Standard procedures were adopted to analyze the selected physicochemical parameters of water. The analyzed results were subjected to WHO (2020) permissible limits for aquatic water quality. Physicochemical parameters of water in the study area were analyzed and the result showed average values as; Temperature: 29.60 0C, pH: 7.20, TDS: 0.25 mg/L, TSS: 0.11 mg/L, DO: 5.96 mg/L, BOD: 2.27 mg/L, COD: 0.24 mg/L, SO2-4: 9.31 mg/L, Cl-:60.27 mg/L, NO3-: 0.19 mg/L and P: 0.09695 mg/L were blow WHO threshold in water while Turbidity: 175.35 NTU and Conductivity: 380.06 μscm-1 values were above the maximum limit in water by WHO. Water quality index calculated showed that only pond G (22.79) and H (18.52) were unpolluted, pond A (1096.93), B (141.72), C (330.28), D (115.27), E (123.84), F (83.46) and I (387.76) were polluted in varying degrees. The study recommends regular check on fish pond water in order to prevent pollution and indeed the quality of fish been reared