Evaluation of Water Supply Service Quality in Secondary Cities of Delta State

Water supply service quality in Nigerian secondary cities is frequently characterised by intermittent supply, high non-revenue water losses, and wide coverage disparities between urban core and peripheral areas, with Delta State's secondary cities presenting a representative case for professional assessment. This study evaluates water supply service quality across five secondary cities in Delta State, including Sapele, Warri, Asaba, Agbor, and Ughelli, using a service quality assessment framework measuring coverage, continuity, pressure, quality, and affordability dimensions. Data were obtained through utility performance record review, household surveys of 250 users per city, and physical inspection of distribution infrastructure and source works. Key informant interviews with Delta State Water Corporation officials assessed institutional capacity, operational challenges, and investment plans. Findings indicate that piped water supply reaches fewer than 40 percent of residents in the surveyed secondary cities on average, with the remaining population relying on boreholes, vendors, and surface water sources. Supplied households receive water for an average of 4.2 hours per day, far below the World Health Organisation's continuous supply benchmark. Non-revenue water estimates average 52 percent across the five utilities, reflecting substantial distribution system losses. Affordability is not the primary barrier to access, as most surveyed households pay substantially more for alternative sources than they would under metered utility supply. The study recommends a targeted capital investment programme for distribution system rehabilitation, performance-based management contracts, and a water supply master plan for each secondary city. Keywords: water supply, service quality, secondary cities, Delta State, water utility management.