THE FCT URBAN WATER SCHEME PLANT 1 & 2 PART 2

THE FCT URBAN WATER SCHEME PLANT 1 & 2

PART 2

Water Quality Standards

One of the most common legislative tools in water management is establishment of quality standards (i.e. attributes of the type of water that we wish to retain). Quality standards are, in effect, a regulatory tool that lists specific qualities associated with specific desired uses. To establish such standards, uses or values of the water resource are determined and then specific quality attributes are assigned to those uses. For example, a water body for use as a public water supply will have an associated list of attributes such as low turbidity or levels of heavy metals below some certain threshold. Consequently, qualify standards are specific to a given use and represent the maximum allowable level of pollution.

Quality standards are based on assimilative capacity of a water body (i.e., the ability of the resource to receive wastes or impacts and maintain its structure and function within the bounds of set standards). An ecosystem can assimilate or diffuse some impacts without exhibiting unacceptable characteristics. Logically, larger bodies of water can assimilate more than smaller

Streams fast-moving streams can assimilate more than slowing-moving ones. Because water treatment facilities are extremely expensive, an enormous emphasis has been placed on the natural assimilative capacity of waters throughout history (i.e. dilution is the solution to pollution). This concept is still the primary treatment philosophy in many developing countries. Identifying the uses for which a water resource will be managed is the first, and most important, step in managing water quality.

Quality standards are based on assimilative capacity of a water body (i.e., the ability of the resource to receive wastes or impacts and maintain its structure and function within the bounds

of set standards). An ecosystem can assimilate or diffuse some impacts without exhibiting unacceptable characteristics. Logically, larger bodies of water can assimilate more than smaller streams; fast-moving streams can assimilate more than slowing-moving ones. Because water treatment facilities are extremely expensive, an enormous emphasis has been placed on the natural assimilative capacity of waters throughout history (i.e. dilution is the solution to pollution). This concept is still the primary treatment philosophy in many developing countries. Identifying the uses for which a water resource will be managed is the first, and most important, step in managing water quality.

In Nigeria, as in most developing countries, water quality is generally deteriorating, especially

around urban areas. Population growth and industrial expansion are generally not managed by

appropriate standard, enforcement of infrastructures such as sewer systems and water treatment

plants is not done. Meybeck et al (1989) noted that only 10 out of 60 rapidly developing countries have established effective water quality laws, regulations, or enforcement of relevant

infrastructures. In addition, the fast pace of development and pollution creates nearly impossible

situations: the pollution that grew over a 100 year period in developed countries now occurs in

barely a generation in developing countries (Meybeck et al 1989). Consequently, few major

cities in the developing world have adequate sewage treatment facilities, and municipal potable

water supplies are often not disinfected. Nigeria is not an exception.

In lower Usuma dam, the quality control unit is divided into three sections Physiochemical, bacteriological and biological. They carry series of sample tests in the laboratory to determine the quality of water produced, by observing the UNO’s standard for production of water.

The Physiochemical section is responsible for carrying out quality control analysis on the physical and chemical properties of water while the bacteriological sections are charge with the bacteriological examination of the water. The biological monitoring unit is responsible for aquatic ecosystem of the reservoir and ecology of the catchment area as it affects the quality of raw water in the reservoir.

The quality control section is also responsible for performing experiments relating to the quantity of chemicals dosed into the water. The treated water must be checked to be in conformity with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations before distribution to the various storage tanks in the territory.

The quality controllers also monitor water even as it is distributed from the treated works and within the territory. From time to time the quality control staff visit individual houses and collect samples to analyses. The board looks at water always from the point of view of how clean it is, its effect on health, laundry etc.

                                             

Similar tests are carried out three times a day to ascertain the quality of the treated water. These results pass through many Officers for verification before finally handed over to the production unit whose sole responsibility is to enforce a change in the pumps. Similar tests are carried out to ascertain the value of Aluminum Silicate contained in the Alum, when new supply of Alum is delivered into the plant.

MAINTENANCE OF WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES

Maintenance of water treatment facilities in lower Usuma dam treatment plant is the sole responsibility of the Estate and facilities manager who is charged with helping to prolong the design life span of the facilities in the plant so as to protect public health and the environment of the community the dam is sited. The periodic maintenance of facilities is done quarterly this includes: washing the walls of Clarifiers, Aerators, chemical loading tanks and Filters. Those done every six months are washing the floor of the clarifiers, treated water tanks and those reservoirs around the various Area Councils in Abuja. Other works are the repairs of reported broken pipes, replacement of spare parts of pumps, Chlorinators and equipment.

FINANCING, CHEMICAL PURCHASE

The Federal Capital Territory water board is an agency of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and do receive monthly subvention or running cost to offset some of these responsibilities mentioned above. When the cost of a particular work is above the monthly subvention such as chemical purchase, replacement of faulty equipment and main trunk pipelines will need to go through the procurement procedures.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Suggestions to the improvement of maintenance of water treatment facilities, is to ensure that those entrusted with the responsibility of running the establishment should be prudent and sincere in managing the mega resource at their disposal. Also to promptly bring to the notice of the higher authorities on  any serious works which your subventions cannot cover and this should done on time as to avoid disruption of water to the populace.

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

The Federal capital territory has created consumer complaint offices in various area councils in FCT and a central office in the head Office to coordinate and settle any issues beyond the area offices.

Complains like not having regular water supply, water supplied was contaminated with some particles or color seen,  problem of billing system and complained that the billed does not reflect with the meter reading installed.

During one of the consumer-administration flora, where the minister of FCT was the guest, He explained that the shortage of water supply was as a result of the overwhelming influx of people into the FCT, thus creating an upsurge in the population of the territory. He observed that the only water treatment plant currently serving the territory is being over stretched.

And said for a comprehensive approach to the problem the Administration is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that Gurara dam is completed, so that there is enough water about 8 times of what is available at the lower Usuma dam for consumption by residents of the FCT. In addition the water treatment plant being constructed to treat the raw water from Gurara dam, has its essential components in place; the Chlorination Room, the Filtration, Rotors, Clarifiers are all in place, the only missing component is the water pipe to convey raw water from Gurara dam to the treatment plant that is at a 95% completion stage and there is the need to build more water treatment plants to increase the volume of water being supplied to residents.

The FCT Water Board has set up an interactive mechanism with its customers to tackle their problems and ensure effective service deliver through interactive sessions by buying air time in various radio stations and a bi-monthly Customers' fora, an avenue for customers to make their views known to the board for prompt action.

The board had introduced a customized billing system for easy payment, so that customers’ complaints would be addressed to avoid a recurrence.  The Chemical: Lime, Alum and Chlorine and including fuel for powering the plant in time power outage are procure through the award of contract by the FCT Administration.

WATER CHARGING

Traditionally, water services have been regarded as one of governments many responsibilities –it must be supplied regularly and free of charge. In some parts of the country, inhabitants still do not understand why they must be made to pay for this free gift from heaven. The development, distribution, and treatment of water include costs for design, initial investments, and operation and maintenance of the service. Putting a price to water is a reflection of water’s economic value and it affects water use efficiency, it is a key way to improve water allocation, discourage wastage, and improve conservation. However, the current practice whereby State Water Corporations charge fixed rates for services rendered only intermittently does not encourage consumers to pay. In most urban areas, there is scarcely a household that does not have, or nurse the ambition to have, an alternative source of domestic water supply by constructing a hand-dug well or a borehole. State Water Agencies should consider the introduction of water meters, particularly in urban centers, this simply act of measuring consumption can help people control the actual amount of water they use and/or waste, it is also a more accurate, equitable and just way for the Water Agencies to commensurately get paid for services rendered. Although FCT Water has installed water meters in most of the urban house as well as some other area council and it has gone further to installed a prepaid water meters in urban house, all these great strikes came with a lot of human and technical challenges that seems to be making non- sense of the effort.

 But now with much larger communities requiring service, the only way to ensure that everyone has access to this basic need is to ration it in some way. And perhaps the best way to utilize water to the best and most-valued uses is to put a price on water, and Construct appropriate tariff structures to meet different social, political and economic goals in different situations.

 The FCT Water Board has different price charge for highbrow areas of the Federal capital city (FCC) and other area such as satellite towns and commercial user. Thus using cost price analysis method the cost of N300.00 was obtained while the subsidies for these categories of places are: N120.00, N80.00, and N150.00 respectively.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

In order to achieve the goal of providing a portable drinking water for the people of Federal capital of Abuja in an affordable rate and still maintaining the different tariffs listed above, the authority must cut down water wastages that are found during backwashing of filters by repairing as soon as possible the recovering pumps which are responsible for recycling this water are faulty. The corruption among the staff that go out on field to compromise their duties during the distributing of bills and disconnecting those consumers who are found to default in payment should be punished as this action tarnish the image of the organization, as so many cases were raised during one of the customer’ fora,

The authority should give special incentives like welfare packages to its staff to encourage and boost their morale, this will give them a sense of belonging and thereby reducing the corruptive tendencies that they engaged themselves in, as this will go a long way in  improving the revenue generation of the establishment.

INAUGURATION AND INSTALLATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Total quality management (TQM) is a management system which has been attracting the attention of North American companies during the last decade.

This system is designed as an integrated, customer-focused approach to improve the quality of an organization’s processes, products and services. Despite the numerous attempts to incorporate TQM in organizations, relatively little is known about its effectiveness and optimal implementation strategies. Few systematic studies have been carried out to evaluate TQM empirically, also, little theory exists to guide TQM implementation. The overall purpose of the current article is to provide a better conceptual basis on which to incorporate TQM into organizations and to guide future research efforts. In doing so, a performance management system is described which is designed to be compatible with total quality implementation.

COMMUNITY-MANAGED SYSTEM: THE WATER USERS’ ASSOCIATION

OPTION

There are several options for water supply management, ranking from the agency managing it to the community owning and operating the system, with options in between. Trends are currently to give the community more responsibilities as an alternative to government management of water supply (Carter et al., 1999). A water user’s association is one of the community-based possibilities, characterized by the association being responsible for operation and maintenance financed through member’s fees and bills, access to water services is reserved for members only Cairncross, 1980). Cairncross et al. (1980) shows two advantages of this option: to potentially avoid factionalism and to facilitate fees collection as members get privileged towards non-members. They also point to the implicit exclusion of part of the population, mainly the poorest households unable to afford the prices.

The option of water kiosks where members come to buy water have already been implemented in other African countries and even in Kabong in Nigeria, most often it has been implanted in urban and peri-urban areas like those in satellite towns of Abuja

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

As there is for the moment neither national water-drinking quality standards nor guidelines in Nigeria (Ocholi, 2006) there is a need to find universal water quality standards values. The “Guidelines for drinking-water quality” proposed by the World Health Organizations set a complete list of parameter values which “ensures an aesthetically pleasing water and does not result in any significant risk to the health of the consumer” (WHO, 1985). These values are internationally recognized because health issue oriented; however it does not take into account the specific context of the country or area (WHO, 1985). In fact, concerning developing countries, these parameters need to be adjusted, considering the cost of treatment involved, cost and availability of water testing in the country.

Therefore, according to the WHO approach, the following criteria were going to be

assessed

 Water quantity

 Water quality

 Reliability of the water supply

 Convenience of water points

 Proportion of households using the facilities

 Volume of water used and for what purposes.

The last two criteria are not known as there are no figures in the organization, while the first two are known from the results obtained in the laboratory of Lower Usuma Dam Treatment Plant (LUDWTP) as seen in appendix E. In the case of the third point, the water is not enough to go round at a time so it is been rationed.

A snap-shot Semi-Structure Interview (SSI) of 26 community members was done to collect a) data on use of public taps from random people. In all community member interviews, level of wealth was determined by the type of house: thatch huts, zinc roof and fenced house in ascending level of wealth. The way of conducting interviews and asking question was adapted during the survey in order to be clearly understood by the population and to fit the local situation.