Effect of storage on rainwater quality of selected locations within Benue state, Nigeria Benjamin Asen Anhwange, Rose Erdoo Kukwa, Ungwanen John Ahile, Raymond Lubem Tyohemba, Benard Ortwer Atu and Solomon Dooyum Igbawase ABSTRACT Samples of stored rainwater were collected from Ojo and Adoka areas of Benue State and analysed for physicochemical properties, heavy metals and antimicrobial parameters using standard methods in order to determine the quality of stored rainwater. The results of the study indicate physicochemical parameters like temperature, colour, pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, total hardness to be within the acceptable limit for drinking water, while nitrates, chloride, phosphates and sulphates were observed to be 3.33–14.00 mg/L, 24.83–59.90 mg/L, 0.13–0.19 mg/L and 7.55–8.39 mg/L, respectively. Dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) had values of 1.40–1.70 mg/L, 1.63–1.66 and 163.33–193.33, respectively. Heavy metal ions in the samples were found to be aluminum (0.104 mg/L) and chromium (0.012 mg/L). Zinc was found to range between 0.451 and 1.47 mg/L, while iron ranged from 0.57 to 1.606 mg/L. Cadmium, nickel and lead were in the ranged of 0.014–0.020 mg/L, 0.54–2.332 mg/L and 0.006–3.143 mg/L, respectively. Coliform count ranged between 130.00 and 402.00 (cfu/100 mL). All the parameters tested except coliform count were found to be within acceptable limits by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking- water Quality (NSDWQ) guidelines. Benjamin Asen Anhwange (corresponding author) Rose Erdoo Kukwa Ungwanen John Ahile Raymond Lubem Tyohemba Solomon Dooyum Igbawase Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, P.M.B. 102119, Makurdi, Nigeria E-mail: banhwange@bsum.edu.ng Benard Ortwer Atu Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, P.M.B. 102119, Makurdi, Nigeria Key words | analysis, contamination, harvested, metals, physicochemical, rainwater INTRODUCTION The problem of potable water in our environment has become a subject of concern. This is because many communities lack potable water. The situation is further compounded due to increasing population, unstable government policies, inadequate water sources, etc., and even where there are water sources, anthropogenic activities usually render the water sources unsafe for drinking purposes. For example, the release of agricultural and indus- trial chemicals and effluents into rivers, streams and ponds usually render such water undrinkable. This situation has compelled many communities to explore other means of sourcing for drinking water (Aladenola & Adeboye ). The harvesting and storage of rainwater during the rainy season to be used during the dry season is one of the prom- ising ways of supplementing the surface and underground scarce water resources in areas where the existing water supply system is inadequate to meet the growing demand. Although rainwater is regarded as one of the purest forms of water on Earth, it is pertinent to note that it is still con- taminated. Despins et al. (), reported that the problem 1 © IWA Publishing 2019 Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology—AQUA | in press | 2019 doi: 10.2166/aqua.2019.098 Uncorrected Proof Downloaded from https://iwaponline.com/aqua/article-pdf/doi/10.2166/aqua.2019.098/546510/jws2019098.pdf by Queen Mary. University of London user