Abstract

Problems of water supply in four neighborhood communities housing Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede (POLYNEK) off-campus students have been investigated. The four communities are Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, Nekede and Obinze all in Owerri west county of Imo state, Nigeria. The communities and the larger population of off-campus students are in dare need of portable and sustainable water supply. The present system of water supply through substandard shallow wells of all manners and direct from the Otamiri River is unsustainable and of serious health consequences. Geological and geophysical assessments confirmed that the area has near surface aquifer with average depth of 50 m (164 ft). Standard water well in the area is to have economic cased depth of 91 m (300 ft), adapted to pump capacity not greater than 7.5 HP. The water table (WT) aquifer is vulnerable to contamination due to indiscriminate waste dumping, accelerated groundwater flow, and contaminants transport in the area. Standard water wells are recommended for these communities, and to be sustained by government-private partnership idea. This will prevail against water borne diseases and poverty.

Key words: Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Federal Polytechnic Nekede (POLYNEK), host communities, groundwater prospect, standard water wells.