ABSTRACT
Access to clean water, proper sanitation, and good health are fundamental human rights and essential for the well-being of communities. However, millions of people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, leading to numerous health challenges. The aim of this study is to evaluate the water quality, sanitation practices, and health status of residents in Oluku Community, situated in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo State. The assessment includes multiple aspects including microbiological, chemical, and physical parameters of water sources commonly used by the community. A comprehensive survey was conducted to gather data on water sources, sanitation facilities, and health status among resident. Water samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical parameters, while bacterial contamination was measured using standard analytical procedures, membrane filtration, and standard plate techniques, respectively. The overall temperature of the water sample observed ranged from 29.27 to 29.63 ℃. pH ranged from 4.73 to 6.71. Electric Conductivity (EC) ranged from 14.67 to 142.00 µS/cm. Salinity ranged from 6.33 to 70.33 ppm. Turbidity ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 NTU. Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) ranged from 6.33 to 70.33 mg/l. Alkalinity from 0.12 to 0.41 mg/l. Phosphate from 0.10 to 1.53 mg/l. Nitrate ranged from 0.50 to 1.12 mg/l. Sulphate ranged from 0.12 to 0.82mg/l, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) ranged from 0.21 to 1.45 mg/l. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ranged from 0.02 to 0.48 mg/l. Copper ranged from 0.00 to 0.02 mg/l, while Zinc ranged from 0.021 to 0.02 mg/l. Total heterotrophic bacterial populations varied, with the lowest count as 2.42 (location 4) and the highest, 3.64 (location 2). Total coliform counts also showed variability, with a range of 0.24 to 1.89 MPN/100ml. The tentative bacteria were Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, health status indicators such as prevalence of waterborne diseases and general health outcomes was investigated. This findings revealed that the water available at Oluku residence were acidic with high phosphate and coliform counts, which exceeded the drinking water guidelines. This helps provide valuable insights into the sanitation, and health situation in Oluku Community, facilitating evidence-based interventions aimed at improving the overall well-being of its residents.
