WATER QUALITY AND SOCIO – ECONOMIC APPRAISAL OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Water quality and the perception of residents towards the supply of portable water in Abeokuta were assessed in this study. Forty sampling locations were randomly selected using purposive sampling method. Water samples were collected from sampling locations (public - taps) along the pipe – distribution network from water distribution source to point of use twice: rainy and dry season. Water samples were subjected to the following physical and chemical analysis: pH, EC, TDS, total alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, bicarbonate, cadmium, lead, chromium and aluminium. Questionnaire were distributed in the study area through the stratified random sampling method using the network distribution map obtained from the Ogun State Water Corporation as guide. With the exception of bicarbonate, cadmium, lead and chromium, all physical and chemical parameters tested were present in the water samples collected. Fifty – one per cent of the respondents were females, while 75% of them were students. Sixty – eight per cent of the respondents attested that the quality of the water supplied was unsatisfactory. Seventy – seven per cent of the respondents attested that the water supplied did not meet their daily demand, hence the reliance on water from alternative water sources. It is suggested that issues of quality, inadequate water supply and coverage area should be addressed speedily.