Nigeria presently has a population in excess of 150 million. However, some reports suggest that less than a fifth of this population has access to clean pipe borne drinking water. The issue of provision of good quality drinking water has been the source of several efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations. This is to alleviate the suffering due to poor drinking water quality. Drinking untreated water can result in several unwanted effects for the individuals, communities and ultimately for the nation.

Typically, Nigerians resort to wells or bore-holes as a source of water. Although ground water (depending on the depth) can be a source of "clean" water, this raw water should still be tested and ultimately treated prior to usage. The bore holes and wells are easily exposed to heavy minerals which on its own are carcinogenic like arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, lead etc. Due to the presence of these pollutants, it is necessary to test and perhaps treat this water prior to use. However, this is presently not the case due to lack of access to water test kits as well as treatment options.

Ground water can also be contaminated by biological agents depending on the source. Shallow wells can be exposed to contamination from sewage systems, thereby increasing the risk of presence of water-borne diseases. In Nigeria, due to the poor sewage systems, this risk is significantly enhanced. These water-borne agents can be detected by proper analytical tests, followed by water treatment.