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The study investigated groundwater sources within reclaimed municipal waste dumpsites around Akachi road in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. The research evaluated the pollution and risk inherent in the consumption of groundwater in the vicinity of the reclaimed waste dumpsite using standard procedures. Results showed acidic pH values for some groundwater samples within the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Elevated nitrate (NO3−), aluminium (Al) and chromium (Cr) concentrations above the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for drinking water samples were recorded in some of the groundwater samples from the study area. The observed strong positive correlations between the metallic contaminants indicated that the distribution of the pollutants has a strong relationship with organic contaminants in the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Low contamination factor was exhibited by all metals for the individual samples except for Cr in sample A and Al in sample A and D. The pollution load index for all the samples was low, except for sample C with a pollution load index of unity. Elevated hazard quotient > 1 and hazard index > 1 were observed for both adults and children due to high Cr levels. The chronic daily intake risk assessment revealed values < 1, while carcinogenic risk values greater than 10−6 and 10−4 were observed for the samples suggesting potential health risk for children and adults. The water quality index of samples from the reclaimed waste dumpsite calls for concern due to elevated levels of Al and Cr. These findings, therefore, suggest the need to treat the groundwater from the reclaimed dumpsite before consumption to avert serious health risks. Finally, waste dumpsites should be remediated or allow to undergo natural remediation before reclamation, erecting residential structures, and sinking of boreholes for water supply within such areas.

Abstract. Ugba was produced by fermenting African oil bean seed samples for different periods of time. The Proximate and Mineral composition of fermented and unfermented African oil bean seed 'ugba' was investigated and the results showed that the Moisture content ranged from 49.32±0.08 % to 51.32±0.06 %, the crude Fat content ranges from 17.80±0.08% to 19.36±0.12%, the Protein content ranges from 15.46±0.05 % to 17.36±0.07 %, the Ash content ranges from 1.94±0.03 % to 2.64±0.00 %, the crude Fibre content ranges from 2.63±0.09 % to 3.22±0.06% and the Carbohydrate content ranges from 6.33±0.01 % to 12.15±0.07 %. The results from the mineral composition showed Ca from 86.35±0.09 mg/100g to 92.11±0.09 mg/100g, Mg from 186.14±0.17 mg/100g to 235.14±0.08 mg/100g, P from 102.48±0.02 mg/100g to 117.23±0.06 mg/100g and Fe from 11.46±0.11 mg/100g to 12.50±0.05 mg/100g. The results showed that the minerals and some of the proximate compositions increased as fermentation time increased, therefore giving an indication that fermentation improves the nutrient composition of Ugba.