This study was aimed at examining the main constraints to safe water supply and sanitation in Lower Orashi River Basin
System, Rivers state; with a view to provide the best solution through the adoption of a procedural and analytical model.
The study adopted the spatial analysis approach using field surveys, laboratory analysis of water samples; and the use of
2,500 copies of questionnaire on 2,500 households within 50 sampled communities. Six research questions and one
hypothesis guided the study. The study revealed that the main sources of drinking water in the area includes borehole
water, hand-dug wells, rivers, burrow-pits, rainwater, and sachet water. There is both an unequal and low access to safe
water supply and sanitation; mean distance to main sources of water supply in the area is 0.31km (310m); also access to
water supply coverage is 31%, and sanitation 22%. The main constraints to safe water supply and sanitation in the area
include environmental pollution and water quality failures, mechanical/technical failures, hydro-geologic/hydraulic
failures, power outage, lack of proper environmental audit, and unstable government policies. The study therefore
recommends the adoption of the SSWS/PG-model in order to promote the development of the area and ensures improved
access to safe water and sanitation.