Imo State has an estimated current population of 5,556,323 (2019) using projections from the 2006 census with 25% being urban population of 1.39 Million. The main towns of Imo state include the state capital Owerri, Okigwe, Orlu and Obowo.

Imo State Water Corporation was established in 1976 with a mandate of supplying drinking water to people living in urban and semi-urban areas of Imo state. Most of the Local Governments have semi-urban schemes located at their LGA headquarters. Imo State Water Corporation utilizes both surface and ground water sources. There are two existing surface water intakes; one of the intakes is located at Otamiri which draws its source from River Otamiri and the other one is Okigwe Water Scheme which draws its source from the Imo River.

The two schemes have a combined capacity of 100,000m3/day. Otammiri WTP supplies about 60,000m3/day to residents of Owerri Metropolis which is made up of both Owerri North and West LGAs. There are also four borehole water schemes located at Egbeada, Orji, Orlu and Umuoba with a total capacity of 15,120m3/day while Okigwe WTP supplies about 40,000m3/day to Okigwe and environs and Uturu.