AN INVESTIGATION INTO WATER DEMAND AND DISTRIBUTION IN ILORIN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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ABSTRACT

This project work examined the water demand and supply in Egbejila area of Ilorin west local government, Kwara State. The three main users of water focused upon in the study area are residential, commercial (block industry, hair salon, food canteen) and agricultural water use. Also, the three main sources of water available to the users i.e. borehole, pipe borne water and well water supplies were investigated to determine the effectiveness of these sources of water in meeting up with the demands of the various group of users.

        Questionnaires were administered to the users in which residential water use was the highest, followed by commercial and agriculture to determine their level of consumption of water and how their various sources of water have been able to meet up with the daily demands. It was determined that the three sources of water meet up with the daily demands of the various users in the study area. Although supply of water seems to meet up with the demand but more jobs have to be done by the ministry of works and water corporation on pipe borne water supply in term of its availability and repair of distribution system appurtenances ( i.e. various devices installed along the distribution system).

TABLE OF CONTENT

Content                                                                             Page No

Title page                                                                                  i

Certification                                                                               ii

Dedication                                                                                iii

Acknowledgement                                                                   iv-v

Abstract                                                                                    vi

Table of contents                                                                            vii-viii

List of tables                                                                            ix

CHAPTER ONE

  1. Introduction                                                                   1-3

1.1 Statement of the problem                                                    4

1.2 Aim and Objectives                                                                     4

1.3 Justification of the study                                                     5

1.4 Scope and Limitation of the study                                         5

1.5 Description of the study area                                               6

1.6 Methodology                                                                      7

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review                                                          8-15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Methodology                                                                         16

3.1 Reconnaissance Survey                                                 16

3.2 Water Situation in Egbejila                                              16-17

3.3 Sources of water Supply in Egbejila                                 17

3.4 Data Collection Instrument Used                                     17

3.5 Questionnaire Distributed                                               17-18

3.6 Oral Interview at Water Works                                                18

3.7 Limitation of the Methodology                                         18-19

3.8 Element of a Public Water Supply                                    19

3.9 Factors Affecting Use of Water                                                19

3.10 Characteristics of Population                                         19-20

3.11 Climatic Condition                                                        20

3.12 Living Standard                                                           20

3.13 Procedure for processing and analyzing data                  21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and Discussion

4.1 Results                                                                       22-34

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion                                                                    35-36

5.2 Recommendations                                                         36

References                                                                        37-39

Appendix                                                                           40-46

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Age group of respondents in egbejila

Table 4.1: Sample population of the respondents/each areas

Table 4.2: Water demand in each studied area

Table 4.3: Activities involving use of water in the studied areas

Table 4.4 Rate of water consumption per day

Table 4.5: Sources of water in studied areas

Table 4.6: Percentage analysis of the farmers in each area studied

Table 4.7: Type of farming activities in the studied areas

Table 4.8: Plots of land for farming activities

Table 4.9: Water demand for agricultural purpose

Table 4.10: Sources of water supply

Table 4.11: Commercial centres sampled in the studied area

Table 4.12: Rate of water demand from commercial centres

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

       Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. Its molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state (water vapor or steam). Water covers 70.9% of the earth’s surface, and is vital for all known forms of life on earth, it is found mostly in oceans and other large water bodies, with 1.6% of water below ground in aquifers and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air), and precipitation. Oceans hold 97% of surface water, glaciers and polar ice caps 2.4%, and other land surface water such as rivers, lakes and ponds 0.6%. A very small amount of the earth’s water is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products.

The importance of water to man cannot be over emphasized. It holds the most important benefit to man’s sustenance besides shelter, food and clothing (Ajadi, 1996). It is recognized all over the world that water is a vital resource for human existence and it is a major factor in commanding the progress of civilization. Nigeria is experiencing an increase in the rate of change in population growth coupled with increased urbanization and living standards. Thus, the increasing needs for domestic water and other uses, places an increasing demand on its water resources.

        Water is very vital, resources is not in short supply in Nigeria and Ilorin in particular, but regulating its availability and ensuring even distributions is always a serious problem, (sule, et al., 1999). However, the quantity of portable water available for human consumption has been receiving attention. Two extreme views have often been expressed regarding availability of water to man. One view believes that man is in his critical period in water consumption, and that demand is overtaking supply. The other view is that water is sufficiently available all the time everywhere worldwide. Both views may be acceptable in terms of water resources availability across the geographical space. For instance, Sule and Okeola(2010) studied the performance assessment of a regional water supply arrangement in Kwara State, Nigeria. Ghali, (1992), Glieck (1996), Sule et al.,(2000), Shabam and Sharman (1981) and Oyegun (1983) studied water resources development in Kwara State and found out that increasing urbanization, population and ineffective management of water resources have been leading to water crisis.

        The conventional practices of planning, designing and managing water systems require regular reviews and adjustment. For effective service delivery, many studies have been carried out in area of water supply management in developing countries. In a study conducted by Akinola and Areola (1980) in Ibadan, Nigeria, the basic per capital consumption for planned residential areas was found out to be 89 liters per day; this demand is however suppressed because of intermittent pumping. Water consumption varies from one area to another depending on socio-economic standard of the people, the level of education and development, nature of prevailing climate, the hygienic characteristics of the people, level of provision of sanitation facilities and general sanitary habits of the people. However, it is generally agreed that a minimum of 501/c/d is needed by an individual to satisfy his basic needs irrespective of socio-cultural background. Ilorin like many other cities in Nigeria does not have accurate water demand and distribution data that could be used for the design and improvement of the water distribution system.

        Water is not only a vital environmental factor to all forms of life, but it also has a great role to play in socio-economic development of human population. it was in recognition of this that the 34TH World Health Assembly in 1981 made a resolution emphasizing that safe drinking of water is a basic element of “Primary Health Care” which is the key to the attainment of health of citizens of the world.        

AN INVESTIGATION INTO WATER DEMAND AND DISTRIBUTION IN ILORIN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT