Current trend in water supply and consumption, and associated health implications ions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Fubara-Manuel, Isoteim; Otoko, George R; Jumbo, Raphael B

Abstract

This paper briefly discussed potable water situation in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from the 1950s, and then
highlighted major factors preventing the implementation of water projects. Due to the inability of government
to provide water, and the regulatory agency to monitor the quality of water, entrepreneurs are marketing all
sorts of packaged water. Analysis of sachet water from 30 manufacturers showed that all the sachets had
neither date of production nor expiry. Furthermore, 26.7% of the sachet water had E-coli ranging from 10 to
110 MPN/100ml, while 33.3% had total coliform ranging from 10 to 530 MPN/100ml. These values are
outside those recommended by WHO. Records from Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital between 2010
and 2014 revealed that the mortality rates, mainly among children, for gastroentritis, diarrhoea, and dysentry
were 9.46, 4.62, and 11.59% respectively. It was therefore suggested that government should accept its social
and moral responsibilities.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Sep 5, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology
• Electronic ISSN: 2313-3759
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 26 - 35
• Series ISSN: 2313-3759
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11997341
• Publisher URL: https://ijsrit.com/vol-3-no-9-september-2016/