PurposeEnvironmental impact assessment (EIA) is one of the best approaches to identifying, preventing, minimising, compensating for any unfavourable impacts on the environment and also encouraging sustainability. This paper aims to investigate the barriers to EIA implementation for construction projects in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a survey research technique. The snowball sampling approach was adopted to identify key stakeholders in EIA practice for the administration of questionnaire. A total of 187 questionnaires were administered and a response rate of 60% (113 questionnaires were adequately filled and returned) was achieved. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised in analysing elicited data.FindingsThe results from data analysis showed that, “failure to influence the decision-making process/multiple conflicting decision-making”, “unstable regulatory regime”, “lack of available, accessible and fit-for purpose data”, “inadequate public knowledge of legal issues” and “poor provision of information” were the top most five barriers to EIA implementation for construction projects in Nigeria. Also, the results from the research show a statistically significant degree of agreement on the rankings by the groups of key stakeholders in EIA concerning the barriers to EIA implementation for construction projects.Originality/valueThis paper contributed to more effective EIA studies by drawing attentions to barriers to EIA implementation for construction projects. An understanding of these barriers can help key stakeholders in the construction industry of developing countries such as Nigeria to facilitate development of methods required in reducing barriers to EIA implementation in the construction sector.

Water is an essential part of human nutrition and is required for maintenance of personal hygiene, food production and prevention of disease (Thliza et al., 2015). It is the most abundant substance in nature and occupies about 70% of the earth's crust (Anyamene and Ojiagu, 2014; Thliza et al., 2015). A reliable supply of clean wholesome water is highly essential in a bid to promote healthy living among the inhabitants of Nnewi in addition to being key to sustainable development, health, food production and poverty reduction (Balogun et al., 2014). In many developing countries (like Nigeria) however, availability of clean water has become a crucial and urgent problem becoming a matter of concern to families and communities (Maduka et al., 2014). It is estimated that 1.2billion people around the world or one fifth of the world's population lack access to safe drinking water either because of unavailability or inadequacy (Oyelude & Ahenkorah, 2012; Lubberding, 2006). This could probable be due to increase in human population (Maduka et al., 2014) or because potable water now attracts increased rates and fees which many cannot due to poverty (Oyelude & Ahenkorah, 2012) or because of rapid industrialization, urbanization and new uses of treated water (Mojekeh & Eze, 2011).A Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey is a quantitative method (predefined questions formatted in standardized questionnaires) that provides access to quantitative and qualitative information (SPRING, 2011). KAP surveys reveal misconceptions that may represent obstacles to the activities that we would like to implement and potential barriers to behaviour change (SPRING, 2011). KAP surveys provide information on people's reasons for specific attitudes, acceptance or rejection of specific products and programmes (Kumekpor, 2002). The KAP survey as used in this study elicited information on people's perception on knowledge indices, behavioral approaches (attitude) and what can be done to effect changes in prevailing attitudes and practices towards the production, distribution and consumption of sachet water in Nnewi. In Nigeria, knowledge of quality assessment (K), attitude towards sachet water quality (A) and practices towards improving sachet water quality (P) is a sound practice in water quality management. The need for information on KAP indices as enumerated in this study necessitated the development and extensive use of this specific type of survey in developing countries like Nigeria. This survey has been used in identifying profiles of the population expressing specific attitudes towards sachet water quality such as checking for hygiene of production/storage before sachet water consumption; closure of sachet water-producing companies because of questionable water quality, preference for sachet water consumed because of availability, convenience, affordability, cleanliness, proximity. Similarly, this survey has been used in identifying profiles of the population having a certain level of knowledge on water quality assessment such as ...