Abstract

This paper evaluates the effects of gas flaring and oil spillage on rainwater quality for domestic use in Okpai and Beneku areas of Delta State Nigeria Both field and laboratory techniques were employed in the analyses of rainwater quality Rain water samples were collected in the dry December January and February and wet June July and August seasons from Okpai experimental site and Benekuku controlled site The water samples were analyzed for chemical physical and biological parameters using the methods of Radojevic and Bashkin 1976 USEPA 2007 and Kolo 2007 The results showed that gas flaring and oil spillage have significantly changed some physic-chemical and biological properties of drinking water in the study area For instance there were changes in the taste color temperature conductivity alkalinity and total dissolved salts These could have serious health implications on the ihabitants of the area Apart from these other parameters analyzed corresponded to the approved maximum permissible limits for drinking water set by NAFDAC USEPA and WHO