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This is as covered by Africanews Media where Engr. Michael Ale spoke about the current situation of accessible water in Nigeria.

Nigeria is seeing one of its worst cholera outbreaks in years, with more than 2,300 people dying from suspected cases as the West African nation struggles to deal with its impact alongside the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 69,925 suspected cholera infections had been recorded as of September 5 in 25 out of the country’s 36 states and the capital Abuja, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Engineer Michael Oludare, an Oyo-based water scientist, said it is “very important” for authorities to look into the causes of cholera and provide basic water and sanitation facilities.

According to Oludare, the poor, women, children and internally displaced persons are among “those that will have problems when it comes to cholera.”

The government data from a study supported by UNICEF found that 157 million Nigerians are off the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) sanitation target as of December 2019, with access to safely managed sanitation services nationwide at only 21%.

Find the full interview coverage by Africanews here.

The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), a partner in the Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP), is the leading organization for people affiliated with the groundwater industry in Nigeria. The people and entities associated with AWDROP include water well rig owners, drillers, scientists (geophysicists, hydrogeologists), contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, pump installers, drilling rig engineers, managers of groundwater resources, etc. The vision of AWDROP is to be a leading water well (borehole) association in Nigeria that advocates for the responsible development, management and provision of potable water.

The National Borehole Practitioners Conference and Congress is an annual event organized by AWDROP. This event brings together stakeholders in the water well drilling sector with the main aim of updating members and practitioners on the latest developments and innovations in the sector. Policy and regulatory issues are also discussed, while the latest technologies in drilling and geophysical equipment are displayed.

The 4^th National Borehole Practitioners Conference and Congress (“Oyo 2021”) will be held on September 12–15, 2021, at the Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Ibadan, Nigeria. This year’s conference will focus on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and infectious diseases (Covid-19 and cholera). The keynote speaker at the conference will be Dr. Biodun S. Badmus, Professor of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Other honorable speakers will include Dr. Ronald A. Isibor, Professor of Geology, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria, and Dr. Ipoola Okuniola, Professor of Geology, Alhikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria. The host at the event will be Micheal Ale, National President, AWDROP.

Find the link to the full article here.

Michael Ale, the Chairman of Male Integrated Services, a company renowned for borehole water drilling and also the National President of Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), in this interview by NURUDEEN ALIMI, speaks on the need for government to consider subsidising the drilling of borehole water across the country among other issues, find a link to the full article below as covered by the tribune on the 12th of July 2021.

Why govt must subsidise borehole drilling —Ale

People are wearing face masks.   People are washing their hands multiple times a day to kill viruses. These steps are necessary and important to help contain and kill the COVID-19 virus.

Some are wondering about the spread of COVID-19 in water and wastewater.  What is important to remember is that drinking water utilities disinfect the water we drink prior to it being delivered to our homes.  Wastewater utilities disinfect the water prior to it being released back to the environment.  This is very similar to using disinfectant wipes or soap at home.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is providing weekly wastewater samples to the School of Freshwater Sciences since March.  These samples are a part of a state-wide effort to establish a monitoring program for COVID-19 in wastewater as an early warning indicator of future waves of the disease. The School of Freshwater Sciences is partnering with the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene and others for this ongoing effort.

Below are some questions and responses that I have seen nationally.  For local, Milwaukee County COVID-19 updates visit: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/COVID-19.

I hope this helps to calm these concerns.

Be Safe, Be Understanding, and Be Kind.

Kevin L. Shafer, P.E.

Executive Director – MMSD

Water Transmission and COVID-19

Drinking-Water, Recreational Water, and Wastewater: What You Need to Know from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?

The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in treated drinking water. Water treatment plants use filters and disinfectants to remove or kill germs, like the virus that causes COVID-19. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates water treatment plants to ensure that treated water is safe to drink.

Currently, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people by drinking treated water. COVID-19 is spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. COVID-19 is spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. You can continue to use and drink water from your tap as usual.

Is the COVID-19 virus found in feces?

The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in the feces of some patients diagnosed with COVID-19. However, it is unclear whether the virus found in feces may be capable of causing COVID-19. There has not been any confirmed report of the virus spreading from feces to a person. Scientists also do not know how much risk there is that the virus could be spread from the feces of an infected person to another person. However, they think this risk is low based on data from previous outbreaks of diseases caused by related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools, hot tubs, spas, and water playgrounds?

There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Additionally, proper operation of these aquatic venues and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus. However, chlorinated water alone should not be used as a surface disinfectant. CDC recommends the use of EPA-registered household disinfectants to disinfect surfaces. Follow the instructions on the label to ensure the safe and effective use of the product.

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage systems?

Recently, ribonucleic acid (RNA) from the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in untreated wastewater. While data are limited, there is little evidence of the infectious virus in wastewater and no information to date that anyone has become sick with COVID-19 because of exposure to wastewater. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through properly designed and maintained sewerage systems is thought to be low.

Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?

Recently, ribonucleic acid (RNA) from the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in untreated wastewater. While data are limited, there is little evidence of the infectious virus in wastewater and no information to date that anyone has become sick with COVID-19 because of exposure to wastewater.

Standard practices associated with wastewater treatment plant operations should be sufficient to protect wastewater workers from the virus that causes COVID-19. These standard practices can include engineering and administrative controls, hygiene precautions, specific safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) normally required when handling untreated wastewater. No additional COVID-19–specific protections are recommended for workers involved in wastewater management, including those at wastewater treatment facilities.

See Information for Wastewater and Sanitation System Workers on COVID-19 for additional information.

If my utility has issued a Boil Water Advisory, can I still use tap water to wash my hands? 

In most cases, it is safe to wash your hands with soap and tap water during a Boil Water Advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 spread to people through floodwater?

There is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through water, including floodwater.

Sometimes floodwater can mix with wastewater. CDC is not aware of any scientific reports of the virus being spread by swallowing or coming in contact with water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Stay out of floodwater to avoid hazards and illnesses from contaminants that are not associated with COVID-19.