• Uloko, P.I.
  Department of physics, College of Education, Oju Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Onoja M.A.
  Department of Physics, ABU Zaria, Nigeria
  




• Garba NN.
  Department of Physics, ABU Zaria, Nigeria
  




• Yahaya, M.
  Department of Physics, ABU Zaria, Nigeria
  




• Ankeli, G.O.
  Department of physics, College of Education, Oju Benue State, Nigeria
  

The study was to evaluate the level of heavy metals in the drinkingrnwater sources of Effa communities and its pollution load index. Waterrnsamples were collected from three surface running waters and arnborehole around the area. The analysisfor heavy metal was conductedrnusing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy. The resultsrnof heavy metals concentrations from the waters samples in the arearnwere 0.67 mg/L, 5.75 mg/L, 8.88 mg/L, 0.53 mg/L, 16.87 mg/L, 17.58rnmg/L, 9.25 mg/L and 5.11 mg/L for As, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe andrnCu respectively. These values were higher than the guideline forrndrinking water according to World Health Organization. The trend ofrnthe average concentrations of the heavy metals follows the order ofrnMn> Cr > Fe > Pb > Zn > Cu > As > Cd. The pollution indices suchrnas Contamination factor (CF), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo),rnPollution load index (PLI) was determined. The results indicated thatrnthe water samples of the studied area were moderately polluted withrnheavy metals. The correlation analysis indicated significant positiverncorrelation of metals in water. The concentration of heavy metalrnindicated that the study area does pose health risk to the communities.rnHence, the attention of relevant Authorities should be drawn to takernnecessary action in providing safe drinking water for the communitiesrnto prevent outbreak of incurable diseases. The study recommendsrnassessments of heavy metals other than those determined and conductrna physiochemical analysis of water sources in the communities.