Abstract

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical concern in many low-resource communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. In Southwestern Nigeria, granite-dominated hill settlements face unique water quality challenges influenced by geological formations and infrastructural limitations. This study assessed community perceptions of water quality and associated health risks in two upland settlements — Ilawe-Ekiti and Aramoko-Ekiti. A cross-sectional survey involving 97 adult residents was conducted using a validated, structured questionnaire. Data collected included water source type, perceived taste, odor, clarity, treatment behaviours, and experience of water-related illness. Descriptive analyses were performed to identify differences in perception and exposure across the two communities. While most respondents relied on hand-dug wells and rainwater, over half perceived their water as clear and safe. However, 100% of participants reported experiencing water-related illnesses, primarily diarrhoea and stomach infections, with very few households practising water treatment. The findings reveal a critical mismatch between perceived water safety and actual health outcomes. This disconnect may be exacerbated by the invisibility of geogenic contaminants such as fluoride, manganese, or iron in granite-influenced environments. The study underscores the urgent need for community-level risk education, routine water quality monitoring, and rural water safety planning that integrates environmental health equity. These results contribute to growing discussions on environmental justice and rural public health in Africa.

Keywords: Water quality perception, Rocky terrain, Health risk, Environmental justice, Nigeria, Geogenic contamination