Assessment of domestic water quality in coastal region of Ilaje Akoka, Lagos state

Abstract

Coastal regions are surrounded by water yet often have limited access to potable water. These regions are usually at the receiving end of indiscriminate dumping of industrial and domestic waste water. Using the co-production approach, some issues observed by residents with available water were noted. These were investigated by undertaking a laboratory analysis examining selected physico-chemical properties (colour, pH, Tds, Hardness, Iron and Manganese) of water from different sources. Results revealed that none of the sources produced water completely within acceptable limits. Sachet water which is widely taken as the safest source, had a pH value of 5.3 which makes it more acidic than is acceptable. Manganese which could lead to neurological disorder over a long period of exposure was found to be present at 0.7 mg/L and 0.25 mg/L in water from well and water trucks respectively. All other elements have relatively insignificant health implications yet are important for acceptability by consumers and system maintenance. Constant water system monitoring and treatment especially in such coastal area, provision of mini-water treatment plants and appropriate water storage practices were recommended accordingly.

Keywords

• Coastal Area
• Potable water
• Quality
• Lagos state

References

1. Adekunle L.V, Sridhar M.K.C., Ajayi A.A, Oluwande P.A, and Olawuyi J.F. (2004). An assessment of health and social economic implications of sachet water in Ibadan: A public health challenge. Afr. J. Biomed Res. 7, 5-8.
2. Aina, T.A., F.E. Etta, and C.I. Obi. (1994). The search for sustainable urban development in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria. Prospects World Planning Review 16, 201-219.
3. Akinwumi, F. O. 2000. Aquatic lives and the environmental changes. In Contemporary issues in environmental studies, ed. H. I. Jimoh and I. P. Ifabiyi, 172–84. Ilorin: Haytee Publishing.
4. Akpoveta, O.V; Okoh, B.E; and Osakwe, S.A (2011): Quality Assessment of Borehole Water used in the Vicinities of Benin, Edo State and Agbor, Delta State of Nigeria. Current Research in Chemistry, 3, 62-69.
5. Babatunde M.A., and Biala M.I., (2010). Externality Effects of Sachet Water Consumption and the Choice of Policy Instruments in Nigeria: Evidence from Kwara State. Journal of Economics. 1, 113-131.
6. Coker, A.O., and Sridhar, M.K.C. (2002). Mini water supplies for sustainable development, Nigeria.
7. Coulibaly, H.D., and Rodriguez, M.J. (2004) Development of performance indicators for small Quebec drinking water utilities. Journal of Environmental Management. 73(3), 243 – 255.
8. Dada A.C (2009). Sachet Water Phenomenon in Nigeria: Assessment of the potential health impacts. Afr. J. Microbiol Res. 3(1), 15-21.

9. Dirisu C.G., Mafiana M.O., Dirisu G.B., and Amodu R. (2016): Level of pH in Drinking Water of an Oil and Gas Producing community and Perceived Biological and Health Implications/ European Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 3(3), 53-60.
10. Kuitcha, D., Kamgang, K.B.V., Sigha, N.L., Lienou, G., Ekodeck, G.E. (2008). Water supply, sanitation and health risks in Yaoundé, Cameroon. African Journal of Environment. Science and Technology. 2(11), 379 – 386.
11. Laura B., Jonathan G., John C. Ayers, Steven G., Gregory G., Amanda C., Rezaul K., Farjana A., David F., Katherine D. & Bhumika P. (2016). Drinking water insecurity: water quality and access in coastal south-western Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2016.1194383.
12. McGarvey, S., Buszin, J., Reed, H., and Smith, D. (2008). Community and household determinants of water quality in coastal Ghana. Journal of Water and Health. 6(3), 339-349.
13. Ndjama, J., Kamgang, K.B.V., Sigha, N.L., Ekodeck, G.E., Tita, M.A. (2008). Water supply, sanitation and health risks in Douala, Cameroon. African Journal of Environment. Science and Technology. 2(12), 422 – 429.
14. Ogundipe, F.O., F.A. Bamidele, A.A.O. Adebayo Oyetoro, O.O. Ogundipe, and Samuel O.O (2015) The bacteriological quality assessment of some bottled water sold in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Nigerian Food Journal. 33(2), 69-73.
15. Ojekunle Z.O., and Adeleke, J.T. (2017) The effect pf storage on physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of sachet and bottled water marketed in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management. 21(6), 1203-1211.
16. Osei A.S., Newman J.M., Mingle J.A.A., Ayeh-Kumi P.F., Kwasi M.O. (2013). Microbiological quality of packaged water sold in Accra Ghana. Food Control. 31(1). 172-175.
17. UNU (2013). Water security & the global water agenda: a UN-water analytical brief. United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Ontario. Pp 47.
18. WHO (2008) Guidelines for drinking water incorporating 1st and 2nd addenda, Vol 1, Recommendations 3rd edition.