Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (Wash) Program: Impact on Clean and Sustainable Environment Among Rural Inhabitants in Enugu, Nigeria

Water, sanitation, and hygiene are critical resources that sustain human health and livelihood, and the residents of Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, are dependent on it for their welfare, which is significant environmental and public health concern for resource managers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the social development water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, using appropriate standard procedures. Findings revealed that 568 (56.7%) respondents across the zone agreed that the WASH program contributed to the availability of pipe-born water, which led to safe drinking water. The majority (371, 37%) strongly agreed that the improved water resources from the WASH program reduced water-borne diseases in their communities. 444 (44.3%) respondents agreed that the water facilities have reduced the time and cost spent in accessing portable water in their communities, which led to funds being diverted for other economic ventures. A total of 631 (62.9%) respondents affirmed that the WASH program contributed to an improved and sustainable environment through the provision of modern toilet facilities, good water drainage, landscaping and tree planting. This would not only prevent the discharge of obnoxious liquid and gaseous effluents but also reduce the heaps of solid wastes in the environment and increase environmental esthetics. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in clean water availability and sustainable environment was observed for the inhabitants after the WASH intervention. Adopting water and sanitation program indices into periodic environmental assessments improves the capacity of resource managers to anticipate program impacts on beneficiaries, allocate resources appropriately, and implement proactive measures that safeguard water and sanitation infrastructures in rural communities for the present and future generations