Title: Water quality and perception on use in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Authors: Oyekanmi Isaac Babatimehin; Adebayo Oluwole Eludoyin; Opeyemi Oyewunmi Ekundayo; Namsifon James Ekwere

Addresses: Opeyemi Oyewunmi Ekundayo Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ' Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: Water is required in both satisfactory supply and quality but studies have shown significant distrusts by users in many communities in developing countries. The study examined water quality and perception of users in a university community in southwest Nigeria. Data used were chemistry of water samples selected locations in the university, responses of students at halls of residence and a key informant at the water treatment section. Results showed that water supplied for domestic purpose in the halls of residence was characterised by 7.3-8.4 pH, and contained higher than safe limits for cobalt and lead. Also, although water quality was within the acceptable limit at the point of distribution, concentrations of the heavy metals were abnormally high at the halls of residence. About 58.3% of the students perceived that the water as not suitable for drinking. The study concluded that contamination by distribution channels and storage facilities have undermined the efficiency of the water treatment facilities of the university, and knowledge of this has affected the perception of the consumers.

Keywords: water quality; potable water; university community.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2020.106155

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2020 Vol.20 No.2, pp.100 - 117

Received: 14 Aug 2018
Accepted: 16 Feb 2019
Published online: 01 Apr 2020 *

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