Assessment of water supply and sanitation of some coastal communities of the Niger Delta

A series of separate surveys were carried out on six coastal communities within a span of three years. The study focused on the assessment of water supply and sanitation facilities in the selected communities. Water samples were collected at various sources (boreholes, rivers, wells, streams and springs). Physico-chemical and Microbiological characteristics of the various water samples from the study areas show that all the water sources in the study areas were not fit for human consumption or for any reasonable use. The quality of sanitation facilities in these communities were grossly inadequate. Therefore, there is a need to develop deliberate specific programmes that are fit for purpose to address the total lack of adequate water supply and sanitation in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta. The study makes recommendations for the development of a ‘Framework for Intervention Programmes on Water Supply and Sanitation for Coastal Communities in the region’.