The Perception of Ubeji Community Residents on the Quality and Effect of Ubeji River Water Quality for Domestic Use
Yusuf Adamu Datti* and Ochai Enemona Johnson
Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology Department, Petroleum Training Institute Effurun Delta State Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Yusuf Adamu Datti, Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology Department, Petroleum Training Institute Effurun Delta State Nigeria.
Published: August 14, 2025
Abstract
This study investigates households’ perception on the quality of water used for drinking and domestic purpose in residents living around Ubeji River, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, To achieve this a total of 564 questionnaires were administered to households in 3 strata’s within the study area. The data for this research were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages and presented in tables and graphs. The result obtained revealed that the major sources of water used for drinking and domestic purpose were 53% Ubeji River in strata 1, 61% bored holes in strata 2 and 100% boreholes in strata 3. Despite the high level of education and awareness 89% of the respondents noted that the quality of water was at least good while 25.6% rated it poor. The respondents in all 3 strata’s all claimed to have been affected by malaria, diarrhea, typhoid and catarrh at one time or the other with malaria (58%) having the highest prevalence and cholera (1%) having the least prevalence amongst the Ubeji residents. The respondents response were tested with ANOVA at 5% significant value and the results obtained revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean of the incidence of water related illnesses on the respondents within the 3 strata’s under investigation. The study further recommends that the Local Government, State and Federal Government should be engaged in routine immunization programs of the vulnerable group of the population. This will ensure improved health and increase the resistance to contacting water related diseases. The Local Health Authority and the National Orientation Agency should set up an aggressive health education and enlightenment campaign in the Ubeji community. This will encourage the residents to inculcate a high level of personal and domestic hygiene and obtain their drinking and domestic water from a reliable source.
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