ABSTRACT:The perception of residents towards the supply of potable water to Abeokuta was assessed with the aid of questionnaire. Well-structured interviewer administered questionnaire were distributed across the city through the stratified random sampling method using the network distribution map obtained from the Ogun State Water Corporation as guide. Sixty -eight per cent of the respondents attested that the quality of the water supplied was unsatisfactory while 36% agreed that they had contacted water related diseases as a result of the consumption of drinking water obtained from public taps. Sixty -five per cent of the respondents use less than 120 litres of water daily, while 77% attested that the water supplied did not meet their daily demand. Only 39% of the respondents who relied on water from alternative sources subjected the water to treatment before usage. It was advised that issues of inadequate water supply and coverage area be addressed speedily and residents should subject water obtained from alternative sources to treatment. The Corporation was also advised to pay attention to the state of infrastructure across the distribution network. ©JASEM

ABSTRACT:The study determined whether there were differences in public evaluation and perception of quality control measures adopted by a public water agency in Oyo State, Nigeria on the basis of some socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status and socio-economic background. It used a sample of 350 respondents (187 males and 163 females) spread across four local government areas in Oyo State. The major instrument used was a questionnaire while data analysis employed frequency counts and t-test statistics. Result showed that there were no significant differences in public perception of quality control measures adopted by the public water agency on the basis of the aforementioned factors. The result raises some fundamental issues that are connected with the quality of water supplied for public uses. It underscored the need to enhance a high quality in public water supply. The paper further went to proffer solutions on how to sustain safe water supply in Nigerian cities: @ JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v19i1.2 IntroductionThe concern for regular and uninterrupted public water supply in developing countries has been on the increase in the last four decades. This is in response to the incidents of water scarcity evident in cities and towns in most developing countries especially in Africa, Asia and South America. In ensuring regular public water supply, there is the need to ensure that the water being supplied is safe and potable, that is, it must be of high quality. This brings to fore the issue of quality control in public water supply. This issue is very critical and germane to the task of ensuring steady and regular water supply. Not only must water be available in the right amount to meet the demand, also the water must be of high quality such that it is suitable for public consumption. Where the quality of water supplied is law it has negative consequences for public health and well-being

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