PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED ISSUES WITH INSUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY IN RURAL AREAS

1.1 Introduction

Water accessibility is assessed by estimating the proportion of the population that can reasonably obtain enough safe water for drinking, washing, and other basic household needs. Household members in rural areas are not need to spend an excessive amount of time gathering water (World Bank, 2002). Globally, millions of people are afflicted by various water-related diseases, such as cholera and hookworm. Health and quality of life improvements are usually correlated with improvements in sanitation and water supply. A major factor in efforts to reduce poverty is having access to water, which also implies that women and children could spend a significant amount of time on other activities instead of fetching water. Although not all of these people live in low-income countries, the elderly and children are the most susceptible.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Over the years, the primary cause of the insufficient water supply is as a result of water contamination, which is primarily the result of human activity in agriculture and farming (Olokesusi, 2004). The difficulties of establishing communities' access to potable water supply have been discussed. The most frequently mentioned causes include the seasonality of streams, high rates of seepage in water pans, and poor quality of water from boreholes (Hazra, 2013). Due to inadequate management mechanisms, it has also proven challenging to maintain the sustainability of current water projects. Even worse, the biggest threat to water points is the current state of inadequate sanitation. Prior research in both urban and rural settings has determined that the primary source of water source pollution is on-site sanitation (Howard et al., 2013).

Despite in cases when the water is clear and thought to be clean, the sources of the water may yet include a variety of microbiological infections. The factors that cause water sources to become contaminated are often poorly understood, but they are commonly linked to faecal contamination from on-site sanitation facilities like pit latrines and defecation near water source boundaries (Howard et al., 2013).

In many developing nations, including Malawi, access to portable water sources in both rural and urban regions continues to be a significant concern (Mtewa et al. 2018). Water from boreholes and the Hand Dug Well exceeds the recommended guideline values for drinking water according to the World Health Organization, Malawi Bureau of Standards, and Ministry of Water Development, according to research on water quality conducted on communally shared water points in Lilaka, Mvula, Chikunda, Namiyango, and Ntopwa of Bangwe township (Kaonga et al. 2013; Mtewa et al. 2018; Mkandawire T & Banda E 2009). Regarding the water quality of the hand-dug well and borehole in the Namatapa section of Bangwe Township, there is no literature. Furthermore, locals believe that boreholes are a more portable supply of water than manually dug wells. Millions of people's health around the world is mostly at risk from drinking low-quality water (Adekunle et al., 2007).

Agunwamba (2002) asserted that in certain rural areas, collected water is kept for home use in pots and cisterns. The current standard is to design storage tanks for subterranean and surface levels, known as reservoirs. Rainfall resources' water quality is influenced by a number of variables, including storage facilities, the type and duration of rain creation, and the condition of the roof and roof gutters (Nnadozie, 2011).

In Nigeria and many other developing nations, the provision of rural water supplies is typified by low-cost, straightforward technology that impoverished rural groups or households can afford, run, and maintain. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Public Health Related Issues with Insufficient Water Supply in Rural Areas.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that most rural communities in Nigeria lack improved water supply systems, such as boreholes or piped water networks. in the cases where these facilities are present, they are either completely broken down or malfunction, forcing households to rely on available sources for domestic needs. Particularly those living in rural areas invest a significant amount of their productive time traveling great distances to find water for their homes. They only have access to their own water supply. Families who lack access to a better water supply are more susceptible to a variety of health issues. In rural areas, these sources of water supply include rivers, springs, ephemeral streams, shallow wells, and rainfall.

The difficulties in establishing communities' access to potable water supply have been discussed. The most often mentioned causes include the seasonality of streams, high rates of seepage in water pans, and poor quality of water from boreholes (Hazra, 2013). The location of water dispensers, how often they are used, and inadequate maintenance are the factors that affect the quality of drinking water and can lead to the formation of coliforms and contamination of the water being dispensed. Consequently, this study intends to identify the Public Health Related Problems with Insufficient Water Supply in Nigerian rural areas or communities against the background of this research.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Public Health Related Issues with Insufficient Water Supply in Rural Areas. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain whether water supply have contributed effectively to health, social, and cultural development of rural communities;
2. To determine the level of household access to water supply in the study area; and
3. To suggest possible public health solution based on the issues with insufficient water supply in the area under study.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does water supply contribute effectively to health, social, and cultural development of rural communities?
• What is the level of household access to water supply in the study area?
• What is the possible public health solution based on the issues with insufficient water supply in the area under study?

1.6 Significance of Study

The findings of this research will help people living in rural and urban areas by highlighting how crucial efficient water use is becoming on a personal, governmental, and global scale. In addition, this study will be extremely helpful to researchers and public health professionals who wish to learn more about it. Non-researchers can also utilize it to expand on their own research projects. This research advances our understanding and may function as a model for future investigations.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Public Health Related Issues with Insufficient Water Supply in Rural Areas. The study utilizes some rural area in Owerri-West Local Government Area of Imo State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
3. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Water Demand:

It is the amount of water that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.

Supply:

To provide, give, sell, or make available something that is wanted or needed by somebody or something.