Investigating water quality and preservation strategies in Abuja's distribution system: a Nigerian case study

Abstract

Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, primarily sources its drinking water from the Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant (LUD-WTP). This study aims to investigate the preservation of the physicochemical and biological properties of the treated water as it traverses the distribution network to reach the end consumers. Laboratory analyses indicate that the physicochemical parameters of the water samples comply with the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). However, bacteriological examination of samples from areas serviced by the LUD-WTP revealed the presence of E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Klebsiella bacteria, alongside a lack of residual chlorine. The study subsequently focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in the water distribution system and proposing preventive measures. The findings of this research have significant implications for managing drinking water quality in urban distribution networks, particularly in developing countries.