Comparative Analysis of Existing and Optimal Maintenance Policy of Water Borehole Schemes in South Eastern States of Nigeria

A study optimising maintenance cost of water borehole schemes in South Eastern states of Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States) was carried out. Data was collected from 260 boreholes spread across all local government areas in the states. Optimisation results showed that for boreholes (submersible pumps) pumping once per day, the optimal preventive maintenance frequency and resulting savings in cost are 2 and ₦521,076 for Abia; 2 and ₦783,963 for Anambra; 2 and ₦458,242 for Ebonyi; 2 and ₦740,964 for Enugu; 2 and ₦605,187 Imo. For boreholes pumping twice per day, the optimal preventive maintenance frequency and resulting savings in cost are 5 and ₦1,896,301 for Abia; 4 and ₦3,692,655 for Anambra; 5 and ₦786,913 for Ebonyi; 4 and ₦4,187,161 for Enugu; 4 and ₦2,477,609 for Imo; and for boreholes pumping thrice per day; 8 and ₦2,798,330 for Abia; 7 and ₦8,372,862 for Anambra; 7 and ₦6,485,293 for Ebonyi; 10 and ₦4,014,240 for Enugu; 10 and ₦6,021,503 for Imo; with no downtime as opposed to the wasteful current practice of no preventive maintenance with downtime of up to 12 months or more. As a recommendation for a borehole scheme, there should be a check on the type of submersible pump and generator capacity as the choice made directly affects the total operational cost.