Comparative analysis of water quality in covered and uncovered hand-dug wells in Oye-Ekiti

Access to safe and clean drinking water is critical to sustainable development. It remains a significant public health issue, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas of third-world countries like Nigeria, where hand-dug wells are common drinking water sources. This preliminary research investigated the water quality of covered and uncovered hand-dug wells in Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, to inform sustainable well water management practices. Using judgmental sampling and standard analytical methods, water samples from two wells (covered and uncovered) were collected and analysed for physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters. The results indicated that covered well water generally has better quality, with lower concentrations of suspended solids, dissolved solids, and total hardness (80, 50, 31.5 mg/L, respectively) than uncovered (330, 80, 59 mg/L, respectively). However, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb) and coliform counts in both wells exceeded WHO limits, except for Cu and Zn. Notably, E. coli was absent in both wells, but the presence of coliforms (3 MPN/100 mL) signals potential vulnerabilities in the water safety, specifically the uncovered water (5 MPN/100 mL). The research findings corroborated the protective role of covering wells in reducing contamination. However, additional measures, including regular maintenance, improved construction, and monitoring, are recommended to ensure water quality. This pilot research provides a foundation for larger-scale investigations to support evidence-based policies for improved public health and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation by 2030.