ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL FOR RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN PARTS OF KANO STATE, NORTHERN NIGERIA
ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL FOR RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN PARTS OF KANO STATE, NORTHERN NIGERIA
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Date
2015-12
Authors
RILWANU, Tasi’u Yalwa
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Abstract
Assessment of groundwater potential for rural water supply in parts of Kano State, Northern Nigeria was undertaken. The study area extends from latitudes 10o3′ N to 12o3′ and longitude 7o 35′E to 9o20′E. Water supply situation was evaluated, nature of hydrogeology was assessed, groundwater potential was mapped and characterised. A total of 16 rural areas were selected, 394 respondents were successfully interviewed on water supply situation, Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) survey was conducted in the 16 villages, samples of aquifer materials were collected from the 16 rural areas and analysed in the laboratory where aquifer parameters were determined. Pumping tests were also conducted in the sixteen rural areas, water levels and groundwater tables were determined. All the six thematic layers were weighted and overlaid using Analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The result indicates that the most common source of drinking water in rural areas of Kano south and central is open well with responses of 17.0% and 18.8% respectively. It was discovered that the major source of drinking water in the rural areas of Kano State is open wells with 41.4% of the total responses. It was deduced that water supply is inadequate with 60.7% responses, water scarcity is more pronounced in rural areas of Kano south and north. Nature of hydrogeology indicates that areas with lower contours less than 340m to 340m, lower slope values of 0o-3o, high aquifer parameter, and high drainage density are areas with high discharge low draw down, low water table and promising groundwater potential. VES survey result indicates that all the curves are “A” type (p1<p2<p3) of between 3 to 4 layers, in wet season 8 curves were found to be of high prospects, 2 moderate and 6 with low while in dry season 9 curves were found to be high, 7 low with no moderate. It was established based on water table data that there is abundant occurrence of groundwater in Kano state that can be used to supply water to the rural dwellers. In weighted overlay five groundwater potential zones were identified as follows very high 27.3%, high 35.7%, moderate 6.2%, low 25.9% and very low 4.9%. Among the six factors it was established that lineament line density is the most significant in terms of groundwater potential with a weight of 46%, the dominant lineament orientations are NW-SE, NE-SW and N-S and vegetation is the least with 3%. Very high, high to moderate groundwater potential zones are characterised by good environmental conditions, low draw down and high discharge and low water table values. In view of the findings of the study it is recommended among other issues that rural areas of Kano south and Kano north should be given special treatment regarding water supply through adequate water provision and low yielding bore holes are the best options in areas of low to very low groundwater potential because high yielding boreholes may dry up completely.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GEOGRAPHY.
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, GROUNDWATER,, POTENTIAL,, RURAL,, WATER SUPPLY,, PARTS,, KANO STATE,, NORTHERN, NIGERIA