The Jebba Waterworks in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara North Senatorial District, commissioned by the state government in May 2024, has the capacity to produce 200,000 litres of water daily.

The water operator, Sulaiman Abdulwaheed, disclosed this during a media tour to Jebba by the members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Kwara Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday.

Mr Abdulwaheed said that, additionally, the waterworks had a 150,000-litre supply to the overhead tank, which was distributed to fetching points in the community.

He said the waterworks, which supply only the Jebba community, source water from the River Niger and undergo various stages of purification before being supplied to the community.

“We get the water from the River Niger to the pressure house, where all sediments are removed, then to the filter, where the water becomes 70 per cent clean.

“We are aware that germs can escape from the filter, so it is passed through another tank where chlorine and alum are added and left for 15 to 30 hours before it is released to the overhead tank for community consumption,” he said.

The water operator noted that with a larger mainline pipe, increased overhead tank capacity, and a standby generator, the community could access a 12-hour water supply daily.

“We pump water for about two to three hours daily now because the mainline pipe capacity cannot carry the pressure, but with a larger pipeline, residents will be able to enjoy a 12-hour water supply daily.

“This will be achievable if the government can help us increase the capacity of the overhead tank that supplies the community from 200,000 litres to 300,000 litres, and also provide a stand-by generator, because we usually have challenges with electricity,” Mr Abdulwaheed said.

Some residents of the Jebba community commended the state government on the provision of a clean water supply to the community.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tour, Idris Adamu, a trader and resident of over 10 years, said the harmattan season was usually problematic for residents as most wells and streams dry up.

“However, with the government’s intervention and the provision of pipe-borne water, we are no longer afraid. As the harmattan season is approaching, we are sure to get water for our daily use,” Mr Adamu said.

Another resident, Mulikat Mohammed, said cases of waterborne diseases in her home had reduced since the intervention of the state government in providing safe drinking water for the community.

“I no longer have to always rush my children to the clinic because they are vomiting or because they have skin infections,” she said.

(NAN)