Water quality in a pipe distribution network: a case study of a communal water distribution network in Ibadan, Nigeria

The study identified the levels of pollution such as turbidity, chloride, silica, solids and E-coli in potable water at the point of treatment in Eleyele treatment plant and at various points in the consumer premises, some distance away from the treatment plant to ascertain the quality of water in the pipe distribution network within Ibadan city. Water samples were collected at eleven different locations and subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological tests and analyses. The results showed that the physical and chemical quality of Eleyele water works compete favourably with international standards such as those of the World Health Organization (WHO) but the bacteriological quality was suspect. Deterioration in water quality with respect to bacteriological quality in the distribution network could be as a result of pipe rust, and old age, leading to constant pipe leakages and burst wherein the E-coli contaminated water infiltrated into the pipe distribution network. In order to avoid E-coli contamination, the study recommends that maintenance of water pipe distribution networks should be planned, implemented and controlled at the same optimum level and operation as for the treatment facilities and the protection of the water source in order to meet international standards.