Appraisal of access to safe drinking water in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The importance of developing effective water supply services is universally recognised as a basis for improving the overall health of the population. This study ascertained the quality of water supplied by a water treatment scheme in southwest Nigeria. One hundred and twelve samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons. Tests on physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were conducted. Statistical analysis of variance was carried out on the results of the test. The effectiveness of the treatment processes on the parameters considered showed that the aeration, sedimentation and filtration processes were 70.13% effective in colour removal; sedimentation and filtration processes were 94.78% effective in turbidity removal; sedimentation and filtration process were 28.84% effective in the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and 9.88% effective in the removal of total solids (TS); the disinfection and filtration processes were 100% effective in bacterial and coliform removal. The treatment system was found to be 71.38% effective in pollutant removal.