Assessment of Household Water Treatment Practices in Flood-Prone Communities in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria

Flooding poses acute risks to water safety in low-lying communities, particularly in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study assessed household water treatment practices in flood-prone communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 280 household heads using structured questionnaires, and twenty focus group discussions were held with community members. Observation checklists were used to verify self-reported treatment practices. Water samples from household containers were collected before and after treatment for bacteriological analysis. Results indicated that only thirty-one percent of households applied any form of water treatment, with boiling being the most common method (sixty-four percent of treated households). Chlorination and solar disinfection were practiced by only eight percent and four percent of households, respectively. Post-treatment bacteriological testing revealed persistent fecal contamination in nineteen percent of treated water samples, indicating improper technique or recontamination during storage. Households that experienced flooding in the previous year were significantly less likely to have access to treated water. Awareness of safe water treatment methods was low among respondents with no formal education. The study recommends targeted community health education campaigns, distribution of point-of-use water treatment kits, and integration of water safety messaging into flood emergency response protocols. Keywords: household water treatment, flooding, Bayelsa State, water safety, Niger Delta.