QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER IN ENUGU URBAN AND ITS HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

This work on Qualitative Analysis of Drinking Water and its Health implications was conducted in Enugu Urban. This work was prompted by the complete acceptance of well, stream and packaged water consequent to perennial water inadequacy/scarcity in the city. The purpose of the study was to find out the quality of drinking water in
Enugu Urban and ascertain the health implications to consumers. To pilot the study, four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated in line with stated purposes. Related literatures to the study were reviewed. The Quasi- experimental research design was adopted for the study. Purposely, sixty (60) water samples (15 from
wells, 15 streams, 15 taps and 15 packaged) were taken from the three density areas (low, medium and high) of Enugu Urban. Data collected were analyzed and, result showed that all water consumed in Enugu Urban contains coliform bacteria in varying degrees. The mean frequency of coliform bacteria in stream water in the three
density areas did not differ significantly. Also there was no significant difference in the mean coliform bacteria content in sachet water packaged in Enugu Urban. Based on these findings, it is obvious that out break of any of the water borne diseases is imminent in the city. Recommendations among others included the policing of drainage
basins by local government officials to stop the dumping of waste/refuse into them. Mounting of enlightenment programmes on the news media by the State Ministry of Health on water source protection and water sanitation.

BY CHUKWUMA, DOROTHY UZOAMAKA, A Dissertation Presented to the Department of Human Kinetics
and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the award of Doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Public Health Education