By Nnaji, Precious Amuche
Irregularity of pipe-borne water supply in Enugu metropolis is a lingering issue. This study aimed at identifying the challenges to regular safe water supply to Enugu metropolis by the Enugu State Water Corporation (ENSWC), Enugu. A total of 228 staff of ENSWC participated in the study as respondents. Questionnaire was used to elicit information on the challenges of regular water supply, their effects on the Corporation’s performance, measures taken to address the challenges, and the strategies to improve safe water supply in Enugu metropolis. Data collected were analyzed using Average Mean Score (AMS) technique, which also tested the hypotheses. Results showed that about 61.7% of respondents agreed that there were significant challenges facing Corporation. They were lack of competition, operational constraints, consumer uncooperative attitudes, vandalism, inadequate funding, corrupt practices by staff, irregular payment of salaries, political interference and increasing population. About 74.92% of respondents agreed that these challenges had significant effects on the staff performance of the Corporation. Low return in revenue collection, loss of revenue, loss of professionals, lack of motivation, pipe-rusting and damaging and low labour productivity were effects of these challenges. About 57.6% agreed that ENSWC had not taken measures against these challenges, nor adopt strategies to tackle the problem. About 67.1% of respondents agreed that there were strategies that could be adopted to improve the supply of pipe-borne water in Enugu metropolis.