Domestic water quality and the discriminatory influence of socio-economic stratification on accessibility to safe water in a part of Osun State, Nigeria

The status of the water supplied to households in an urban local government area southwest Nigeria was examined. Specific objectives were characterize household sources, assess per capita usage potable sources and examine quality area. purposively selected study area, Olorunda Osun State, (being area) stratified into ‘urban core’ (central business district, CBD or high population density area), ‘transition’ (medium but with less social infrastructure) ‘sub-urban’ (typically reserved low based on associative socio-economic status. methods a mix questionnaire administration heads 120 (40 stratum) collection drinking samples from supply at four randomly each stratum. analysed for concentrations nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), fluoride (F-), lead (Pb) arsenic (As) as well E-coli bacteria contents their importance determining areas. results showed that domestic are mainly hand dug (55.8%), borehole (37.5%) pipe borne (6.7%). Residents averagely consumed most 4L day. Furthermore, investigated chemical parameters varied NO2 (0.37-0.94 mg/l), NO3 (0.29-0.70 F- (0.003-0.97 mg/l). As Pb occurred trace quantities, there no pollution threats consumers. amount E coli total coliform however outside safe limits residents, suggesting contamination by sources. concluded communities which do not have access state-provided tap source more likely consume polluted than those water. advocates improve management fringe dwellers.