Quality surveillance of surface water catchments in selected Obokun rural communities, in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

In most rural communities in Nigeria, access to potable water is still a challenge. Water quality monitoring was conducted on six (6) surface water catchments in Obokun rural communities in SouthWestern Nigeria. Parameters were determined using internationally accepted procedures. Among the examined water chemical parameters, only NO 3 (50.0-154 mg/l) and Mg (20.0-110 mg/l) exceeded the WHO and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) recommended thresholds for potable water. All the surface water samples contained total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) (1100-5900 cfu/ml) and total coliform (9.00-78.0 cfu/100 ml) above tolerant level. Total heterotrophic fungi (THF) were found in 1.00-7.00 cfu/ml density range. All the samples (100%) contained thermotolerant coliform (4.0-11.0 cfu/100m l), Escherichia coli (4.00-7.00 cfu/100 ml), faecal streptococci (1.00-5.00 cfu/ml) and Salmonella (1.00-8.00 cfu/100 ml) while 67% contained Shigella (1.00-6.00 cfu/100 ml). Presence of pathogenic microorganisms in water samples is indicative of faecal contamination. Multidrug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, E. coli and Corynebacterium ulcerans showed that these organisms could pose a serious health threat to the users of the water from these rivers. The qualities of surface water samples used for this study were therefore not suitable for human consumption without adequate treatment. However, most rural community people still rely on surface water for drinking and other domestic use. Identification of cost-effective local water treatment techniques and implementation of WHO Water Safety Plan (WSP) will improve water quality and minimize risks to human health.

Water Shortages and Drinking Water Quality in Rural Southwest Nigeria: Issues and Sustainable Solutions

“…Water quality monitoring conducted on six selected surface water catchments in Obokun rural communities of Osun State reported the presence of nitrate (NO3) and magnesium (Mg) in the values ranging from 50.0 -154.0 mg/L and 20.0 -110.0 mg/L respectively exceeding the WHO Standard for Drinking Water Quality recommendation for potable water [7]. All the surface water sampled in the studied area contained total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) (1100 -5900 cfu/mL); total coliforms (9.00 -78.00 cfu/100ml); total heterotrophic fungi (THF) (1.00 -7.00 cfu/ml density range); thermotolerant coliform (4.0 -11.0 cfu/100ml); Escherichia coli (4.00 -7.00 cfu/100ml); faecal Streptococci (1.00 -5.00 cfu/ml) and Salmonella (1.00 -8.00 cfu/100ml).…”

“…However, most rural community people still rely on surface water for drinking and other domestic use. Identification of costeffective local water treatment techniques and implementation of WHO Water Safety Plan (WSP) will improve water quality and minimise risks to human health [7].…”

“…Majority of the people have low incomes and find it challenging to personally fund and or maintain a safe water supply [6]. They also lack the requisite skills to preserve the pipe-borne water source in the absence of government intervention [6,7]. Therefore, lack of pipe-borne water and inadequate potable water interventions in the rural areas of southwest Nigeria are directly responsible for continued dependence of the people on untreated surface waters within their vicinity for drinking and other domestic uses [7].…”

“…They also lack the requisite skills to preserve the pipe-borne water source in the absence of government intervention [6,7]. Therefore, lack of pipe-borne water and inadequate potable water interventions in the rural areas of southwest Nigeria are directly responsible for continued dependence of the people on untreated surface waters within their vicinity for drinking and other domestic uses [7]. More often, the rural communities depend mainly on seasonal rainwater, ponds, streams, rivers and shallow wells, most of which may be contaminated and inimical to health.…”

Dependence of Rural Communities on Unsafe Water Sources - Case study of Tinda Village, Northeastern Nigeria

“…It was estimated that around 90% of rural Nigerians defecated in the open, while 51% of the rural areas did not have access to improved water [8]. In south-western Nigeria, most rural communities lacked access to improved water sources due to the absence of adequate water infrastructure and sustainable maintenance schemes, thereby leading to the continuous dependence of rural dwellers on surface water sources [9]. Another survey in Akwa Ibom, South-southern Nigeria, revealed that most water projects in the state were focused on urban areas, while the rural water projects were mostly sidelined.…”