ABSTRACT
The water supply infrastructure in Kaduna North Water Works (KNWW) has faced alot of problems, partly due to a neglect of the components over a long period and with tariffs at a low level, which was far from reflecting the real cost of the service. Economic efficiency still remains below the regional average, resulting in the lack of financial resources to maintain and extend the infrastructure. This dissertation assessed the challenges facing water supply in the Kaduna North Municipality using a developed performance indicator called Service Standard Performance Metrics (SPEM) and Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. An evaluation using some aspects of technical, financial, human resources and institutional performance indicators was carried out. The results shows that, a prime cause for the water scheme failures to provide the required level of service delivery is poor operation and maintenance practice as well as poor management. In order to establish the basis for developing strategies for the performance improvement plan, a detailed SWOT analysis of the present situation was carried out to identify the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats of KNWWs. A structured questionnaire along with personal interviews was used to collect primary data from KNWWs staff and households served by the KNWW which was divided into eight baseline communities. The study showed that water supply was being rationed in the Municipality and the major complaint on the quality of water was with the colour. Complaints were mostly made in person (69 %) and the attitude of KNWWs staff to complaints was poor. However, meter readers were generally found not customer friendly by 72.5 % of the respondents. Customers perception of the price of water was average (49.75 %) and an increase in the water tariff without significant improvement in quality would create problems. Finally, some of the reasons for the inefficiency in water delivery from the need assessment carried out were obsolete machines, frequent pipe bursts and power outages among others. The study concluded that water shortages affected both domestic and commercial activities and was a cause of truancy in school children and also accounted for the use of untreated and contaminated water leading to water borne diseases in the municipality. The water quality results obtained are higher in the raining season than the dry season due to the accumulation of sediments.