Examination of Surface Water Along River-Rima Floodplain in Wamakko, Sokoto State, Nigeria

This study examined the hydrochemistry of surface water along the River-Rima floodplain area. Five sampling locations were purposively selected, and, in each point, three samples were taken from surface water (river).The sampling was repeated after 20 days. Thus, a total of 30 samples werecollected. Water samples obtained were subjected to laboratory tests. Results revealed that BOD, TDS, Mg2+, and Fe3+ are above the World HealthOrganization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) reference guidelines for drinking water quality. Isolates detected from the coliform bacteriological analysis include Enterobacter aerogene, Escherichiacoli, and Citrobacter freundii with most of the samples showing coliform bacteria growth above the SON standard for drinking water. Hence, the water in the River-Rima floodplain of the Wamakko area is of low quality and unsafe for drinking. Results of principal component analysis (PCA)revealed external influences such as pollutant wash off and rock weatheringas controls on hydrochemistry of surface water. There is some indication of anthropogenic inputs (Cl- , NO3- , and PO4 2-) based on hierarchical cluster analysis. Elements including Cl-, NO3-, and PO42- are increasingly added into surface water from human activities, mainly agriculture, and municipal sewage

DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY: ANALYSIS OF POPULATION DENSITY AND WATER SUPPLY IN KEBBI STATE, NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Development and management of an improved water supply system is a great challenge faced by most developing nations. With rapid population growth and urbanization most, states in Nigeria find it difficult to deliver potable water to a substantial number of people who are in dire need for this resource, especially in the Urban areas. In this study, we attempt to relate public water supply to population density in Kebbi State. An inventory of water supply facilities was taken in 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kebbi State. Census data was collected from the National Population Commission (NPC), Birnin-kebbi. Results showed that, population density correlates very strongly and positively with handpumps (r=0.95), urban schemes (r=0.88), semi-urban schemes (r=0.69) and village scheme (r=0.74). There was a very weak but positive correlation between population density and boreholes (r=<0.001); population density and tabs (r=<0.001). PCA results showed, that the 21 LGAs cluster nicely across a spectrum of public water supply infrastructure. The ratio of persons to water sources is thus: Borehole 1:12794.1; Handpumps 1:7640.2; Taps 1:2821.8; Urban scheme 1:233799.6; Semi-urban scheme 1:63739.7; and Village scheme 1:67245.9. Suggesting that, the existing public water supply facilities are inadequate. More water supply infrastructure is needed to provide people with improved water supply. However, there are no statistics on private boreholes and people depending on them in Kebbi State. An inventory of private water supply sources in Kebbi State is recommended. This will guide policy regarding improved water supply in Kebbi State.  Article visualizations

Review of Groundwater Potentials and Groundwater Hydrochemistry of Semi-arid Hadejia-Yobe Basin, North-eastern Nigeria

Understanding the hydrochemical and hydrogeological physiognomies ofsubsurface water in a semi-arid region is important for the effective management of water resources. This paper presents a thorough review of thehydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Hadejia-Yobe basin. The hydrochemical and hydrogeological configurations as reviewed indicated that the Chad Formation is the prolific aquifer in the basin. Boreholes piercing theGundumi formation have a depth ranging from 20-85 meters. The hydrochemical composition of groundwater revealed water of excellent quality,as all the studied parameters were found to have concentrations withinWHO and Nigeria’s standard for drinking water quality. However, furtherstudies are required for further evaluation of water quality index, heavy metal pollution index, and irrigation water quality. Also, geochemical, andstable isotope analysis is required for understanding the provenance of salinity and hydrogeochemical controls on groundwater in the basin

Understanding the Water Balance of Basement Complex Areas in Sokoto Basin, North-West Nigeria for improved Groundwater Management

Understanding water balances is essential for sustainable water resource management, especially in semi-arid basement complex areas where there are large demands for water supplies, but the complex hydrogeological conditions limit groundwater development. This research presents an approach for water balance estimation based on the conceptual and computational modelling of six major landscape unit’s which have been classified on the basis of their differing hydrological responses. Detailed conceptual models of the hydrological processes operating in each of the different landscapes in a catchment and the processes that control water movement between the different landscapes are developed based on data analysis, fieldwork and literature. Two computational models (the WaSim soil water balance model and a new water balance model for bare rock) are used to estimate the daily water balance of each of the landscape units taking cognisance of their interconnectivity which includes runoff becoming run-on. Water balance simulations were run for the individual landscapes using input data from the semi-arid Sokoto Basin in Northwest Nigeria, and outputs for representative wet and dry years are used to demonstrate the reliability of model responses. The individual landscapes outputs were subsequently integrated, taking account of their area weighted contributions, to give a catchment-scale water balance which compares favourably with the observed river discharge at Fokku. The catchment water balance results reveal that AET accounts for the largest loss in the catchment at 72 % of the average rainfall for 37 years. This is followed by the groundwater flow to rivers, then runoff to rivers, representing 16% and 11 % of the average rainfall. This research has provided valuable insights into hydrological behaviour of the basement complex system and the effect of landscape variability on the water balance of these areas. The research suggested a rational approach to groundwater resource management in the basement complex areas that takes cognizance of the hydrological behaviour of different landscape units, focussing on areas with deep weathered material within the catchment identified in this research. The research specifically stresses the need to apply methods of water conservation during excess rainfall for future use in the dry season

Reassessing groundwater potentials and subsurface water hydrochemistry in a Tropical Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria

This review presented a detailed re-assessment of the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Tropical Anambra Basin. It identified and discussed the major geological formations and their groundwater potentials. The geological examination showed that the Ajali Formation is confined in places forming an artesian condition; the potentials of this aquifer decline in the western basin due to a decrease in thickness. The sandstone associates of the Nsukka Formation are aquiferous and have produced high-pressure artesian boreholes along the Oji River. The Imo Shale is characterized by permeability stability all over much of the intermediate unit. The Bende-Ameki aquifer has a lesser amount of groundwater when equated to other formations; the geologic characteristics do not produce favorable hydrogeological conditions for groundwater occurrence. The stratigraphical and structural framework suggested the presence of an efficient throughflow in the basin. Based on physical and chemical parameters of water quality, the basin holds water of acceptable quality. While there are considerable investigations on the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry, studies are short of analysis of the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater, water quality index, heavy metals pollution index as well as total hazard quotient. Suitability of groundwater based on agricultural water quality indices (e.g. SAR) is also salient. Therefore, future studies should address these owing to increasing dependence on groundwater

Re-examination of hydrochemistry and groundwater potentials of Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo intersecting Tropical Basins of South-South Nigeria

This review attempted a detailed description of geological and hydrogeological configurations of Cross River and Imo-Akwa Ibo basins. It presented a synthesis of hydrochemistry and a description of the hydrogeological configurations of the two basins. Hydrogeologically, most areas under Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo are poor in terms of groundwater potentials. Based on the hydrochemistry, the basins hold water of excellent quality. Groundwater sources fall in soft to moderately hard classes. The entire sources groundwater has a TDS concentration of less than 500 mg/l. Groundwater classification based on electrical conductivity (EC) showed EC levels were less than 500 µS/cm. Most of the examined cations and anions are within WHO reference guidelines for drinking water quality. However, no broadanalysis of water quality based on water quality indices. Also, studies modeling pollution or the impact of land use changes on groundwater quality are wanting. Thus, further analysis of the hydrochemistry of groundwater aquifers is recommended