Abstract
Turbidity is the rate of physical disturbance of water, optically attributed to colour cloudiness due to particulates contamination like tiny suspendable materials. Its occurance expectably tends to influence water quality index of river basins. This poses treat to the water usages extending to even agriculture otherwise a major source of food for man. The portable water turbidimeter was used in obtaining the turbidity level of the river water, used in classifying the turbidity status, and evaluating the impact in response to the water quality index otherwise an indicator of the general water quality. The conclusive results showed that on average, turbidity and water quality index for various hours were 3NTU and 77% in all, 4NTU and 77% at late hours, 5NTU and 76% at mid-day, 1NTU and 78% at early hours. That on minimal turbidity and water quality index was 2NTU and 78% on average, as well as in late hours, 3NTU and 78% at mid-day hours, and 1NTU and 78% at early hours. And, the maximum turbidity and water quality index were 6NTU with 72% on average, 7NTU with 72% at late hours, 11NTU with 66% at mid-day hours, and 2NTU with 78% at early hours. It was conclusively found that turbidity impacts on water quality index were in inverse order of the higher turbidity value attributive to the lower water quality index value, as well as the lower turbidity value associative to higher water quality index value. And, that the minimal turbidity in the river system were approximately 1NTU with 78% WQI, while the maximum was 11NTU with 66% WQI.