Water Availability And Quality In Rural And Urban Markets In Abia State, Nigeria: Implications For Water, Sanitation And Hygiene

This study assesses the availability and quality of water sources in Ubani (urban) and Ndoro (rural) markets in Abia State, Nigeria, focusing on both physicochemical and bacteriological properties. The findings have important implications for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative (water sampling, laboratory analysis), and qualitative (a structured questionnaire) techniques to assess water availability, quality, and usage patterns. Water samples were collected from three sources (borehole, rainfed wells, and tanker-supplied water) during dry and wet seasons. Physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), nitrate, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Bacteriological assessments detected coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method. Sachet water was the most widely used water source, with 81.1% of respondents in Ubani and 77.1% in Ndoro relying on it, yet more than half reported difficulties in accessing water. Distances to water sources in the market varied, ranging from 250m to 1.5km. Seasonal variations in water quality were significant (p < 0.05). In Ubani market, BOD increased from 4.82 mg/L in the dry season to 9.07 mg/L in the wet season, while DO rose from 2.78 mg/L to 4.63 mg/L. Similar trends were observed in Ndoro, with BOD rising from 4.80 mg/L to 8.52 mg/L. The TDS levels in Ubani market were 174.5mg/l in the dry season and 192.63mg/l in the wet season whereas that of Ndoro market was 44mg/l and 29mg/l. The pH in Ubani was 6.68 (dry) and 6.11 (wet), while Ndoro recorded 3.96 (dry) and 4.55 (wet). Nitrate levels also fluctuated significantly between seasons. Bacteriological analysis revealed E. coli concentrations of 1.72 × 10⁵ cfu/ml in Ubani's rainwater and Klebsiella spp. counts of 2.2 × 10⁵ cfu/ml in Ndoro's borehole water, exceeding WHO limits. The findings of the study reveal the vulnerability of market water sources to contamination, especially during the wet season, posing public health risks. The study highlights the urgent need for water quality monitoring, treatment improvements, and public health education on safe water practices.