1.1 Introduction
Water is a fundamental natural resource and a basic human necessity essential for sustaining life, promoting health, and supporting socio-economic development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), water quality refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water, which determine its suitability for various uses, including drinking, domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Safe water is vital for human survival, yet access to potable water remains a significant challenge in many developing countries, including Nigeria (Okeke et al., 2020).
Public health is directly linked to water quality, as unsafe water is associated with high morbidity and mortality from diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhea, and dysentery (Ayodele et al., 2019). In Nigeria, several studies indicate that a large portion of the population depends on untreated or inadequately treated water sources due to limited infrastructure, poor maintenance of water distribution systems, and irregular monitoring of water quality (Igwegbe et al., 2021; Oloruntoba & Ekundayo, 2022).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Water is one of the most essential natural resources for human survival, economic development, and public health. According to the World Health Organization (2017), access to safe and potable water is a critical determinant of public health outcomes and overall quality of life. Water that meets acceptable standards of chemical, physical, and microbiological quality is necessary for domestic consumption, sanitation, agriculture, and industrial use. Unsafe water, on the other hand, is a major vector for diseases and a contributor to morbidity and mortality in populations worldwide. In Nigeria, water quality remains a significant public health concern, as many communities are exposed to contaminated water sources (Okeke et al., 2020).
Several studies have reported that water sources in Nigeria are increasingly vulnerable to pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, and improper waste disposal practices (Oloruntoba & Ekundayo, 2022; Ayodele et al., 2019). It has been asserted that both surface and groundwater sources, which are the primary sources of drinking water, are often compromised by chemical contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and nitrates (Ugwoke et al., 2021). Furthermore, microbial contamination with faecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria remains a pervasive problem, causing waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhea, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under five and the elderly (Ayodele et al., 2019; Onyishi & Chukwu, 2023).
Eze & Okoye (2018) contended that the challenges of water quality in Nigeria are compounded by weaknesses in water supply infrastructure. The Nigerian Water Corporation, which is responsible for providing treated water to urban and semi-urban populations, faces multiple operational difficulties, including outdated treatment plants, insufficient funding, and inadequate monitoring systems (Eze & Okoye, 2018).
According to Ojo and Adebayo (2020), poor water quality is closely linked to poor sanitation and hygiene practices in Nigerian communities. They reported that insufficient awareness regarding water treatment methods, hygiene practices, and sanitation measures significantly heightens the risk of disease transmission. It has been affirmed that even when water treatment infrastructure exists, gaps in public education and behavior often undermine its effectiveness. In addition, it has been stated that weak enforcement of environmental regulations and poor urban planning exacerbate water pollution, as industrial and residential wastes frequently enter water bodies without adequate treatment (Okeke et al., 2020).
Research has also reported that waterborne disease outbreaks in Nigeria are recurrent and have serious social and economic consequences. Onyishi and Chukwu (2023) asserted that cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrheal diseases continue to impose a heavy burden on the Nigerian healthcare system. It has also been contended that children under the age of five experience the highest vulnerability to waterborne illnesses, which affects their growth, cognitive development, and overall health. Furthermore, inadequate access to clean water has been linked to reduced productivity, school absenteeism, and long-term economic challenges, illustrating the broader societal impacts of water quality deficiencies (Ayodele et al., 2019). This study is set against the backdrop of the urgent need to understand how water quality influences public health outcomes, particularly in communities served by the Nigerian Water Corporation.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that many water sources in Nigeria are highly polluted due to a combination of anthropogenic activities and weak environmental management systems, leading to the proliferation of contaminants in both surface and groundwater supplies. Sources of contamination include industrial discharges, agricultural runoff carrying toxic chemicals, domestic sewage, and inappropriate waste disposal practices, all of which degrade water quality and pose serious health risks to communities across urban and rural settings. Heavy metal pollutants such as lead, cadmium, and other toxic substances have been detected in drinking water sources in several states, raising concerns about long term exposure and adverse health outcomes.
At the same time, microbial contamination remains widespread, with faecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria frequently identified in water sources that are used for drinking and domestic purposes. Furthermore, the lack of consistent and comprehensive water quality monitoring undermines efforts to protect public health by delaying detection of contamination events and limiting effective responses from health authorities and water managers. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate these interconnections and develop a clear understanding of how water quality influences health outcomes, particularly in the service areas of the Nigerian Water Corporation.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to assess the quality of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation and its implications on public health in Nigeria.
The specific objectives of the study are:
- To examine the chemical, physical, and microbial characteristics of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation.
- To identify the health risks associated with consumption of treated and untreated water in the study area.
- To assess the efficiency of the existing water supply and monitoring systems of the Nigerian Water Corporation.
- To provide recommendations for improving water quality management and reducing public health risks.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the stated objectives, the research seeks to answer the following questions:
- What is the chemical, physical, and microbial quality of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation?
- What are the health risks associated with consumption of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation?
- How efficient is the existing water supply and monitoring system in ensuring safe water distribution?
- What strategies can be implemented to improve water quality management and public health outcomes?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the quality of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation and public health outcomes in the study area.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the quality of water supplied by the Nigerian Water Corporation and public health outcomes in the study area.
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the outcome will raise public awareness about the health implications of unsafe water consumption, enabling communities to adopt better hygiene practices. The findings will also inform policy formulation and regulation enforcement to ensure safe water supply.
Furthermore, the study will raise awareness about the importance of safe water consumption and hygiene practices. In addition, this research will provide data on waterborne disease risks to design effective health interventions.
Lastly, this study will contribute to academic knowledge on water quality and public health in Nigeria, offering a reference for future studies.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the assessment of water quality and its impact on public health in Nigeria. The study will be limited to Lagos State and the operational areas of the Nigerian Water Corporation within the state.
Data will be collected from selected water treatment plants, distribution points, and households to assess water quality and public health impacts.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
A study of this nature is bound to experience certain problems as such the constraints imposed on the research include:
- Time Constraints: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
- Financial Constraints: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
- Lack of Cooperation: Many of the respondents are usually aggressive on issue that border cooperation among the respondents border.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Water Quality: According to the World Health Organization (2017), water quality is defined as the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of water, which determine its suitability for drinking, domestic, and industrial uses.
Public Health: Public health is the science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, and individuals (Okeke et al., 2020).
Waterborne Diseases: These are illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms in contaminated water, including cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea (Ayodele et al., 2019).
Water Treatment: This is the process of improving water quality to make it safe for human consumption by removing contaminants and pathogens (Eze & Okoye, 2018).
Nigerian Water Corporation: A government-owned organization responsible for providing potable water to urban and semi-urban communities in Nigeria (Igwegbe et al., 2021).
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