Evaluating the Sustainability of Oferekpe Water Supply Scheme in Abakaliki

EasyChair Preprint 5285

Abstract

This study aims at evaluating Oferekpe public water supply scheme in Ebonyi State. A rapid assessment of the scheme was primarily based on questionnaires. SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was also conducted for more detailed sustainability assessments. Evaluating result shows that availability of water is provided throughout the year, although only four hours per day to save operational and maintenance costs to the dissatisfaction of the users. SWOT analysis indicates provision of water with drinking water quality that is highly accepted by users, as strength, uneven distribution of the water scheme as weakness, alternative to groundwater based scheme and potential for rural area as opportunity and finally, threat poses as instability in the operation and maintenance of the scheme due to lack of financial support by the community. In conclusion, proper operation and maintenance is a key to the good functioning of the scheme. It is therefore, recommended that policy on Ofereke water scheme be developed based on an integrated assessment that incorporates social, health, environmental, institutional and economic aspects which are as important as technical factors to achieve sustainable provision of water for communities in Abakiliki.

Keyphrases: SWOT analysis, Sustainability, integrated assessment, technical factors, water supply scheme

@booklet{EasyChair:5285,
  author    = {Ijeoma Nwajuaku and Omar Ikenna},
  title     = {Evaluating the Sustainability of Oferekpe Water Supply Scheme in Abakaliki},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 5285},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2021}}