Imo RUWASSA Begins Rural Water Quality Testing to Ensure Safe Drinking Water, Ends Open Defecation
By Anselem Anokwute
The Imo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has commenced a statewide rural water quality testing exercise aimed at ensuring access to safe and potable drinking water while intensifying efforts to eliminate open defecation across the state.
As part of the exercise, the agency has mobilised Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) officers to all 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to collect water samples from both public and privately owned boreholes for laboratory analysis.
Speaking shortly after a stakeholders’ and officers’ training workshop held at the popular Rock View hotel Owerri Imo State before the press briefing at the Water Board Complex along Okigwe Road, the RUWASSA General Manager, Dr.John-Kennedy Agubom, said that, the initiative is designed to safeguard public health by ensuring that residents consume safe and potable water.
Dr. Agubom explained that the exercise is in line with the policy of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seek to provide universal access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and better hygiene practices.
According to him, the agency has deployed its personnel across the state not only to monitor water quality but also to strengthen campaigns against open defecation and promote improved sanitation, particularly in rural communities.
He commended the commitment and dedication of RUWASSA staff for their continuous awareness campaigns and sanitation programmes across the state. He also urged residents to maintain both public and private water facilities in line with the administration of Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma’s commitment to public health, environmental sanitation, and sustainable development.
The General Manager appealed to members of the public to cooperate with RUWASSA officials by granting them access to collect water samples for proper testing and analysis. He assured residents that boreholes found to have contaminated or unsafe water would receive professional attention from qualified water engineers, who would recommend appropriate treatment and corrective measures.
Dr. Agubom further noted that the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme is a collaborative initiative of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at improving access to reliable water, sanitation and hygiene services while strengthening the capacity of RUWASSA personnel.
He reiterated that RUWASSA remains committed to achieving universal access to potable water and improved sanitation by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The agency is also working with local government councils and community leaders to achieve total sanitation in villages and rural communities by encouraging the construction, proper management, and consistent use of household toilets. These efforts are expected to accelerate the declaration of open defecation-free communities across Imo State.
RUWASSA reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the National Water Supply Policy through integrated water resources management, ensuring the provision of safe drinking water, promoting sanitation and hygiene, and encouraging communities to take ownership of water and sanitation facilities for their long-term sustainability.
