Evaluation of availability, access, use and quality of water inUmuenechi Village, Nibo, Anambra State, Nigeria 24 months after theinstallation of a 200-foot borehole Open Access

Nwana, Bunie (2013)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/td96k300z?locale=en
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Abstract

Background: Globally, 780 million people currently do not have access to an improved water source. About 43% of the Nigerian population lack access to safe water, thereby placing them at risk of water borne diseases. Sufficient quantities of safe water are needed for the reduction of disease burden, the socio-economic welfare of rural communities, and overall quality of life of the people. Ensuring good water quality and sustainability of rural water supplies in Sub-Saharan Africa has been challenging. Understanding how a community uses and values a new water supply can inform strategies to improve the performance and sustainability of the water system.

Introduction: This study performed a post-intervention assessment of a rural community in Nigeria to examine access, use, quality and willingness to pay for water from a single borehole installed by Water For Life Nigeria, Inc. in 2010.

Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to collect data. Focus group discussions identified themes and key issues surrounding the borehole while key informant interviews gave individual perspectives on this intervention. Water quality testing provided quantitative data on water quality. Survey instrument data measured the community's perception of the availability, accessibility, and quality of the borehole, and household water treatment and storage practices

Results:About 75% of respondents used the borehole as their drinking water source. The average distance (walking time) to the borehole was 31 minutes, and 62.5% of the study population reported that water from the borehole was always available. Water quality testing indicated higher concentrations of E.coli(4 CFU/100ml) and total coliform(63 CFU/100ml) contamination in household drinking water than in the borehole (<1CFU/100ml, <1 CFU/100ml). Traditional water sources had the highest concentrations of E.coli (500 CFU/100ml) and total coliforms (1660 CFU/100ml).

Discussion: The borehole water does provide clean water to the residents and is an improvement over the community's previous traditional water source. However, deterioration of water quality occurs between the source water and point of consumption and may be attributed to water handling practices. Willingness to pay for water and assigning a steward to manage the borehole are crucial for sustainability. Unfortunately, the majority of survey respondents were not willing to pay due to their perception of water as free and their inability to afford a payment.

Table of Contents

Literature Review

Introduction

Research Methods

Data Analysis

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Tables

Figures

Appendices

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