Propositions to Increase Water Provision in Nigeria - Paper Example

IntroductionOne of the millennium goals is the access to clean and safe water for drinking in addition to adequate sanitation (Mather 2010, p. 35). It is important to note that water is an essential element for human survival. It is an important part of the ecosystem that ensures that all living things, access it. It is a human right for one to have access to clean water and sanitation. However, billions of people are faced with frequent problems when it comes to accessing the important human needs (Thomas 2005, 49). According to a report by the world health organization, an approximate of 1.8 billion people use water that is contaminated by fecal (WHO 2017). Also, an approximation of 2.4 billion people do not have access to important sanitation facilities such as latrines and bathrooms. 40% of the world population is experiencing water scarcity, and analysts perceive that the percentage is yet to increase. It is perceived that at least 80% of the waste water that emanates from anthropogenic activities is released to water bodies without receiving any form of treatment and hence resulting in pollution (USAID 2006).

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Analysis of the situation in Nigeria

Nigeria is the largest country in the West African region. It is perceived to have the biggest population in Africa by which it has about 132 million individuals (Mathew 2002, p. 46). It also experiences an increase of 2% of the population on an annual basis. The average per capita income of the country is $290 which when compared to the capita income in 1975, is 20% lower. The country is affected by poverty especially in the southern areas that are quite remote. It is perceived that poverty in the urban areas is increasing by which reports from the World Bank indicates that 48% of people living in the urban areas suffer from poverty (Nwankoala 2011, p. 1171). In the year 1996, an approximate number of 30 million individuals were perceived to be poor. It is important to note that the increase in population growth has not aligned with the provision of enough water and adequate sanitation services. The implication is that there is a wide gap between areas that have adequate water supply and proper sanitation and areas that do not have access to water. Urban areas tend to have an adequate supply when compared to peri and semi-urban areas in addition to rural areas. The same case also applies to arid and semi-arid areas (Nwankoala 2011, p. 1171).

Background information for the development of adequate water supply systems

It is important to note that the climatic condition of the northern part of Nigeria is aggressive such that water scarcity is immensely making it difficult for some plants to be planted on an annual basis (Ademiluyi & Odugbesan 2008, 812). The northern, eastern part is the most affected by which it receives low levels of rainfall on an annual basis for about three months, and hence the remaining months being dry. According to meteorological reports, Northern Nigeria receives about five hundred and seven hundred and fifty millimeters of rainfall on an annual basis and tends to vary at times. The variation is caused by sudden storms, severe falls in addition to unpredictable rains. Some areas also have short grass in addition to sparse vegetation. Some areas such as the Kano region lacks policies regarding the management of water and hence calling the need for adequate measures to ensure that clean water is in full supply (DanAzumi & Bichi, 2010, p. 102). As mentioned earlier, the rapid population growth in Nigeria which does not align with the improvements in the water supply is a challenge when it comes to the supply of clean water. Another influencing factor is the lack of funding. It is important to note that the absence of enough water supply and adequate sanitation affects present immense effects on public health. Also, water is charged in the urban areas when compared to the rural areas where it is generally free. Another issue is on the government by which it has not put much focus in ensuring that its people have regular access to clean and safe water. The supply of water is approached as a form of social service by the public and the politicians rather than a basic necessity (Ademiluyi & Odugbesan 2008, 812).

Water Situation in one of the Areas

The following chart illustrates the population and the approximated statistics of the supply of water in the Kano region which is among the semi-arid areas in the northern part of Nigeria. The data was as per the study conducted by Fullbrook (2005, p. 35) on water supply in the northern part of Nigeria.

Both charts imply that there is an unequal distribution of water supply in the northern region and hence the need for methods to ensure that there is a constant supply of clean water in the whole region. The percentage of the population of people not served with clean water appears to be high when compared to those served. More specifically, the highest number of people in the rural, and semi-urban areas do not have access to adequate water supply (Fullbrook 2005, p. 36).

Recommended methods of water supply in the semi-arid areas in Nigeria

The factors to consider in the methods include costs, Output and the Social and Environmental Impact (Thomas 2005, 49). Two possible methods that can be effective in such areas include mining of ground water in addition to harvesting of rain water. Both methods are quite efficient since they are less costly in terms of the resources used, they are friendly to the environment, and the output is worth the employed efforts.

Harvesting of Rain Water

The harvesting of rainwater entails collecting water for domestic use before it reaches the ground surface. The most common method is the use of runoffs that are fixed on the roof such that water is collected in tanks and maintained for human use (Aladenola & Adeboye 2010, p. 2130). Water found on the ground after rainfall is perceived to be dirty and unsafe and hence emphasis being on the use of run-offs placed on the roof. This type of harvest is very convenient in the absence of methods used in collecting groundwater in addition to water pipelines. Care has to be taken on the conditions of the roofs because of pollutants such as dust, droppings from birds and any other constituent to ensure that water is safe for drinking. The method is relatively easy and cheap in addition to having no damage to the environment. However, adequate care must be taken in treating the water. The government may provide tanks in rural areas that collect rain water such that it becomes useful during dry seasons (Ishaku et.al 2012, p. 294).

Ground Water

Ground water allows the provision of water that is less contaminated when compared to surface water. It is also sustainable and the most convenient method of accessing clean water. For such a system to ensure consistent supply, information on the hydrogeological and hydrological status is required in addition to aspects such as resources and costs for developing group water and drilling pumps to ensure that the water provided is of good quality (Caliman et.al 2011, p. 241).

Conclusion

In synopsis, Nigeria is experiencing a shortage of water supply especially as a result of the rapid increase in population. The Northern region is the most affected because of its extreme climatic conditions. Harvesting of rain water and accessing groundwater are some of the ways that can be used to ensure that there is consistent water supply in the region.

References

Ademiluyi, I.A. and Odugbesan, J.A., 2008. Sustainability and impact of community water supply and sanitation programmes in Nigeria: An overview. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 3(12), pp.811-817.

Aladenola, O.O. and Adeboye, O.B., 2010. Assessing the potential for rainwater harvesting. Water Resources Management, 24(10), pp.2129-2137.

Caliman, F.A., Robu, B.M., Smaranda, C., Pavel, V.L. and Gavrilescu, M., 2011. Soil and groundwater cleanup: benefits and limits of emerging technologies. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 13(2), pp.241-268.

Danazumi, S. and Bichi, M.H., 2010. Industrial pollution and implication on source of water supply in Kano, Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 10(1), pp.101-109.

Fullbrook,J., et al (2005) Development of a Water Supply Policy for Kano State Government. Retrieved 7th April 2011, http://www.slgnigeria.org/uploads/file/106.pdf.

Ishaku, H.T., Majid, M.R. and Johar, F., 2012. Rainwater harvesting: an alternative to safe water supply in Nigerian rural communities. Water resources management, 26(2), pp.295-305.

Mather,J., (2010) 200 Years of British hydrogeology. Bath: Geological Society.

Mathew,M., (2002) Nigeria: Current Issues and Historical Background. New York: Nova Publishers.

Nwankwoala, H.O., 2011. Localizing the strategy for achieving rural water supply and sanitation in Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(13), pp.1170-1176.

Thomas, D., and Ford, R. (2005) The Crisis of Innovation in Water and Waste Water. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

USAID. 2006. Nigeria Water and Sanitation Profile. Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative (ABRI). Retrieved from www.usaid.gov.

WHO. 2017. Clean Water And Sanitation: Why It Matters. World Health Organization. Retrieved from www.who.gov.