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Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions

Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe Shedrack A. Ume Onye Olisaemeka J.

Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology  ·  Area of research: Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561

Abstract

The water supply system in Enugu Metropolis has historically faced significant operational and structural challenges, characterized by production levels far below installed capacity, aging infrastructure, and unsustainable management frameworks. This study assesses the current state of water production, transmission, and distribution within the Enugu State Water Corporation (ENSWC). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach involving technical infrastructure audits and socio-economic household surveys, the research identifies critical bottlenecks including power supply instability, frequent pipe bursts, and a high rate of non-revenue water. Findings indicate that while recent governmental interventions under the "180-day water project" have significantly improved supply through the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme and the establishment of water galleries, long-term sustainability remains contingent on comprehensive network rehabilitation, metering, and improved governance. The study recommends a dual-phase strategy involving immediate technical repairs and long-term institutional reforms to ensure financial viability and equitable water access for all residents.

Keywords

Water Distribution, ENSWC, Enugu Metropolis, Infrastructure Sustainability, Urban Water Management.

References

[1] Al-Layla, A. S., et al. (1978). Water Supply Engineering Design. Ann Arbor Science Publishers.

[2] Chukwurah, G. (2018). Challenges and Opportunities of Water Supply in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. ResearchGate Publication.

[3] Enugu State Water Corporation (2026). ENSWC, Enugu State Housing Corporation Move to Strengthen Collaboration for Improved Water Supply. Press Release, January 2026.

[4] Ezemerihe, A. N. (2022). Water Supply and Distribution System for Enugu State. Ph.D. Research Seminar, Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Anambra State.

[5] Mbah, P. (2024). Commissioning of the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme. Official Enugu State Government Statement, March 2024.

[6] Shamir, U. and Salomons, E. (2008). Optimal real-time operation of urban water distribution systems using reduced models. J. Water Resour. Plan. Manag. 134: 181–185.

[7] Shao, Y., Yang, Y.J., Jiang, L., Yu, T. and Shen, C. (2014). Experimental testing and modelling analysis of solute mixing at water distribution pipe junctions. Water Res. 2014: 133–147.

[8] Sheikholeslami, R. and Kaveh, A. (2015). Vulnerability assessment of water distribution networks: graph theory method. Int. J. Optim. Civ. Eng. 5: 283–299.

[9] World Bank (2025). Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program. Technical Report.

[10] White, G.F., Bradley, D. and White, A. (1972). Drawers of Water - Domestic Water Use in East Africa. University of Chicago, Press, U.S.A.

[11] Wright, R., Stoianov, I. and Parpas, P. (2014). Dynamic topology in water distribution networks. Procedia Eng., 70: 1735–1744.

[12] Zhu, X., Jie, Y., Huaqiang, C., Yaguang, K. and Bishsi, H. (2019). Water distribution network modelling based on NARX. Proc. Int. Fed. Autom. Control, 48: 11072–11077.

[13] Zilberman, D. and Schoengold, K. (2005). The use of pricing and markets for water allocation. Can. Water Resour. J., 30: 47–54.

How to cite this paper

Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe, Shedrack A. Ume, Onye Olisaemeka J. "Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 3 2022 Page 391-396 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561
Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe, Shedrack A. Ume, Onye Olisaemeka J. "Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 6, no. 3, Sep. 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561
Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe, Shedrack A. Ume, Onye Olisaemeka J. (2022). Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561
Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe, Shedrack A. Ume, Onye Olisaemeka J. "Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 6, no. 3, Sep. 2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561
@article{1718561,
      author = {Anthony Nnamdi Ezemerihe, Shedrack A. Ume, Onye Olisaemeka J.},
      title = {Sustainable Water Supply and Distribution Systems in Enugu Metropolis: Challenges, Infrastructure Assessment, and Strategic Interventions},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2022},
      volume = {6},
      number = {3},
      pages = {391-396},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1718561.pdf},
      abstract = {The water supply system in Enugu Metropolis has historically faced significant operational and structural challenges, characterized by production levels far below installed capacity, aging infrastructure, and unsustainable management frameworks. This study assesses the current state of water production, transmission, and distribution within the Enugu State Water Corporation (ENSWC). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach involving technical infrastructure audits and socio-economic household surveys, the research identifies critical bottlenecks including power supply instability, frequent pipe bursts, and a high rate of non-revenue water. Findings indicate that while recent governmental interventions under the "180-day water project" have significantly improved supply through the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme and the establishment of water galleries, long-term sustainability remains contingent on comprehensive network rehabilitation, metering, and improved governance. The study recommends a dual-phase strategy involving immediate technical repairs and long-term institutional reforms to ensure financial viability and equitable water access for all residents.},
      keywords = {Water Distribution, ENSWC, Enugu Metropolis, Infrastructure Sustainability, Urban Water Management.},
      month = {September},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV6I3-1718561}
  }