Assessment of water supply system from catchment to consumers as framed in WHO water safety plans: A study from Maiduguri water treatment plant, North East Nigeria

摘要

Water safety plan (WSP) concept of World Health Organisation based on risk management from catchment to consumers ensures safe drinking water supply by water supply utilities. Water supply system assessment is integral to effective WSP development and implementation. This study reports assessment of Maiduguri water treatment plant from catchment to consumers, toward providing baseline information for effective WSP. A cross-sectional study involving questionnaire, key informant interview, and water analysis was used to collect data on catchment, treatment units, storage, distribution system, and consumers. From the study, concentration of chemical water parameters analyzed within the treatment units was found to be increasing after coagulation, filtration, and disinfection stage, such as (SO_(4): 19–26?mg/l at final water); (total alkalinity: 79–102?mg/l after coagulation); and (PO_(4): 0.23–0.31?mg/l after filtration), and household storage containers were also infected microbiologically with such as Escherichia Coli . According to the questionnaire, there are low home treatment practices (30%) and low level of water quantity satisfaction (16%) by the consumers; however, some (56.5%) were satisfied with the water quality. The study identified the barriers to effective water services delivery at different stages of the water supply system, which includes heavy sludge and biofilm growth in sedimentation tanks and reservoirs, and manual injection of treatment chemicals within the treatment units; pipeline damages, blockages, leakages, intermittent water supply and illegal connections along the distribution line; and poor water collection and storage practices at consumers point. Therefore, commitment by relevant stakeholders is paramount for effective WSP implementation to protect public health in the study area.