ASSESSMENT OF SANITARY CONDITION OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) BOREHOLES IN DASS TOWN, BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

Sanitary Inspection is a visual survey of risk factors that may predispose boreholes to faecal and other related contamination and is considered a low-cost tool for risk assessments in the water supply industry. Compliance with standards in the execution of many projects in Nigeria remains a nightmare with many key factors in the projects not considered. This paper seeks to assess the sanitary condition of WASH Boreholes in Dass Town, Bauchi state. 41 sample sizes determined by the Yaro Yamane formula were studied from the population of 46 functional boreholes of the study area, where a standard checklist was used to obtain data. In the results, it was found that 90% of the sampled installed boreholes don’t have a soak-away pit and weren not in a fence, and 83% have ponded waste water that can ingress or percolate into the aquifer and compromise the safety of the water. Moreover,98% of the installed boreholes sampled have no record of periodic chlorination or water quality testing. Discontinued disinfection of borehole waters render them vulnerable to contamination and infestation (Earthwigs). Therefore, it is recommended that strict compliance with standards should be ensured in borehole installation sand to brings into consideration neglected features such as soak-away pit, drainage, apron, fence, etc.