Publication Details
Abstract
Access to safe and potable water remains a major developmental challenge in many Nigerian communities due to rapid population growth, urbanization, industrial activities, and increasing water pollution. Despite the abundance of surface and groundwater resources, inadequate treatment infrastructure exposes households to waterborne diseases, environmental degradation, and economic losses. This paper empirically examines the importance of establishing water treatment plants in Nigerian communities by reviewing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved water quality using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). Drawing on existing empirical studies, policy documents, and survey-based valuation frameworks, the study evaluates how households perceive the benefits of treated water in terms of health protection, environmental sustainability, water security, and long-term economic savings. The paper also discusses methodological issues in applying CVM in developing-country contexts, including survey design, payment vehicles, protest responses, and data validation. Findings from the reviewed literature indicate that a significant proportion of consumers are willing to contribute financially to community water treatment projects when service reliability, affordability, and transparency are assured. The study concludes that investment in water treatment plants is not only a public health necessity but also an economically viable and socially valued intervention. It recommends stronger government commitment, community participation, and the integration of willingness-to-pay evidence into water policy planning to ensure sustainable and equitable access to safe water in Nigeria.