Assessment of Quality of Public Water Supply in Jalingo Metropolis

Abstract

This study assessed quality of public water supply in Jalingo metropolis. With increase in human population and improvement in innovation, the danger for water contamination increases, affecting the quality of surface (Dams, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes) and ground (wells, boreholes) waters. The specific objective of the study is to assess the quality of public water supply within Jalingo metropolis. The study adopted survey and experimental research designs. The experimental design involved the laboratory analysis of water quality, whereas the survey design involves sampling of consumers’ mode of access to public water supply. This was done by selecting seven supply points each served by the three (3) production units of the Taraba State Water and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO) in Jalingo metropolis. Washed bottle water containers were used for water sample collection, which were analysed using the Wagtech Water Quality analysis machine in the World Health Organization Modern Laboratory located within Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) office in Jalingo. While the water data were analysed using ANOVA. The result shows that the physical characteristics of public water supply in Jalingo metropolis are within the permissible limits of WHO and NSDWQ except TDS which recorded high values of 523 and 548 at two supply points respectively, with overall mean value of 399.95 ± 113.07. The study found that the chemical properties of the water sample were within the WHO/ NSDWQ permissible limits except for chloride which recorded higher values in four supply points: B (Runde) (39), F (Star Exclusive) (69), A (Jauro Gana) (127) and G (Green Farm) (194) respectively. The coliform count for the water samples were in trace amount and within the standard limits of WHO/NSDWQ with mean value of 5.24 ± 0.46. There was no significant difference in the mean values of water samples across all sampling points/production units. The ANOVA result shows that there is significant relationship between water production unit and the water quality supplied to the consumers (pvalue = 0.417; P>0.05). The study therefore recommended that the government should ensure equitable distribution of portable water to the generality of the public. It further recommended that modern equipment should be provided and highly specialized staff employed to manage the production process in order to ensure quality water is provided for the consumption the populace.