TITLE:
Drinking Water and Sanitation Challenges in the Island and Riverside Communities of Tillaberi, Niger
AUTHORS:
Gado Seyni Laouali, Moussa Adamou, Bachir Yaou Balarabe, Chaibou Ousmane Mamane Imrana, Hassimi Moussa, Manzola Abdou Salam
KEYWORDS:
Island and Riverside Communities, Drinking Water, Sanitation, Household, Pur
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study examines household access to drinking water and sanitation in the island and riverside areas of the rural communes of Ayorou and Dessa in the Tillabéri Region of Niger. The main objective is to evaluate the current state of accessibility to safe water and sanitation among local households. Data were collected through a household survey conducted over eleven days, from June 23 to July 3, 2025, using a quantitative approach involving 550 respondents. Findings indicate that 94.4% of island and 92.2% of riverside respondents are married. All island households (100%) depend entirely on the Niger River for their water supply, while 51.1%, 24%, and 19.6% of riverside households rely on standpipes, the river, and boreholes, respectively. The results also show that 82.8% of island residents and 68.7% of riverside residents face difficulties accessing potable water. Water treatment practices remain limited, with 52% of island households and only 10% of riverside households using “Pur” to purify drinking water. “Pur” is composed of ferric sulfate and chlorine, acts as a coagulant and disinfectant. Regarding sanitation, 84.5% of island households and 58.5% of riverside households lack latrines. Overall, the study highlights significant disparities in water access and sanitation conditions between island and riverside communities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve living standards in these vulnerable areas.