GROUND WATER QUALITY AND BOREHOLE MAINTENANCE IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of borehole well maintenance on water quality in residential buildings in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study objectives were to assess physical, chemical, and biological qualities of borehole water and evaluate the maintenance practises applied to boreholes in selected residential buildings in Akwa Ibom State.

Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this aim a mixed research design was adopted. Water quality tests were conducted on 26 samples gotten from selected residential boreholes; and through well-structured questionnaire, distributed to 150 respondents, the perceptions of borehole owners were elicited on maintenance practices and their frequency. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey responses. Laboratory results were compared to World Health Organization (WHO) standards to evaluate water quality

Findings: Results revealed a preference for submersible pumps 129 (90.8%) over hand pumps13 (9.8%), and mild steel casing materials 30 (21.1%) over other options. Plastic tanks 102 (71.8%) and non-black tank colours were favoured for water storage. Respondents exhibited confidence in water source integrity but reported lengthy maintenance cycles and compromised water quality. Most laboratory tests demonstrated compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards, though microbial contamination indicators showed deviations, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and treatment.

Research limitations/Implications: The study's adoption of a purposive sampling technique limited the chances of boreholes and borehole owners being selected randomly, therefore, establishing biases in selection. Findings of study is also limited to Akwa Ibom state.

Practical implications: It is recommended that measures geared at prioritizing regular maintenance, comprehensive testing, and adherence to best practices in borehole management, be implemented to ensure safe and reliable water sources. Stakeholders must address identified gaps to safeguard public health and ensure environmental sustainability.

Originality/value: The study highlighted the importance of maintenance for the safety and suitability of groundwater for residential uses, within the three sectorial districts in Akwa Ibom state.