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

Abstract

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: