Abstract

Water quality has been linked to health outcomes across the world. This study evaluated the wholesomeness of sources of domestic water in Ajaokuta and Lokoja Municipality through assessment of the community practices regarding collection and storage of water, analysis of physicochemical and bacteriological quality and the determination of the human health risks associated with consumption of the water. Assessment of water quality was carried out on the quality of water in use from 9 different sources. Questionnaires were used to identify the community sources of water and storage activities. Many of the households reported they cover their containers and the majority (58%) do not treat their water before use. The physicochemical, bacteriological quality and trace metals’ concentration of water samples from the different sources and household storage containers were majorly within the permissible range of both within permissible range of both the Nigeria Standards of water quality and World Health Organisation. E. coli and total coliform were not detected or within the permeable value all of water samples at the different sources The calculated non-carcinogenic effects using hazard quotient toxicity potential and cumulative hazard index of drinking water through ingestion pathway for both children and adult were less than unity, implying that consumption of the water could pose no significant non-carcinogenic health risk. Amongst the studied trace metals, only the maximum level of lead for both adults and children has the highest chance of cancer risks. We recommend that appropriate measures should be taken to maintain residual free chlorine at the distribution points, supply of municipal treated water should be more consistent in the municipality of Lokoja and Ajaokuta, monitoring and evaluation from other sources be carried out, and residents should be educated on hygienic practices of transportation and storage of drinking water from the different sources as certain water transportation and storage practices by community members can cause the risk of water contamination.

Key words: Water quality, Contamination, Evaluation, Hygienic practices, Human health risks