Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 67-74
Assessment of Water and Excreta Sanitation in Owerri Municipal and Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State, Southeast, Nigeria
Orji S.M1; Ede A.O2; Onwuagba C.G3; Nwazunku A.A2; Okorie P.C3, Abonyi I.C2
1Department of Public Health, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State
2Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nnewi Campus
3Department of Environmental Management Technology, School of Environmental Management Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State
4Department of Dental Technology, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu
Corresponding Author: Ede A.O
ABSTRACT
Background: In many developing countries, access to water supply and sanitation remains low and the need to provide both improved water supply and safe means of excreta disposal is the concern of every developing country. This paper aimed at assessing the water and excreta sanitation status in Owerri zone, Imo state.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive technique that involves the assessment of the sanitary conditions of studied areas. The study focused on sample size of 400 respondents to get information on water and excreta sanitation. Microbial analysis of water supply was examined to identify the presence of bacteria. The total heterotrophic bacteria plate counts (HPC) in the water samples were obtained using the standard pour plate technique. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and results were presented in frequency, percentage and charts.
Results: The results of the study showed that 125(62.5%) were males from Owerri North (ON) and 113(56.5%) from Owerri Municipal (OM). Source of water supply, 80(40%) in ON reported that water supply source was far from the individual houses; and 144(72%) in OM supported the idea. In hand washing after defecation, 180(90%) agreed from ON and 170(85%) agreed from OM. In Owerri North and Municipal, 120(60%) and 110(55%) had malaria which was the most common type of sanitation related diseases from wastewater and excreta management. The laboratory result of drinking water from different villages indicated the presence of heavy growth of bacteria (staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella) as observed using Macconkey Agar media.
In conclusion, the findings of this study showed the presence of bacteria in water supply. Therefore, the community needs to be educated on the importance of maintaining clean and hygienic environment around the boreholes to ensure the safety of water from such borehole.
Keywords: Bacteria, Excreta, MacConkey agar, Sanitation, and Water supply.
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