Abstract
The aim of this paper is to determine relevant factors contributing to the water demand in the peri-urban communities of Awka capital city. Towards achieving this aim, questionnaire were developed and served on the households in various communities to collect relevant data on the 13 physical and socio-economic factors we earlier identified as influencing water demand in the area. Water quality was ascertained through microbiological analysis of water samples. The major analytical techniques used were multiple correlations, the result of which was subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Principal Component Regression. Result shows that the 13 variables combined to contribute 90.0% of water demand in the area. Furthermore, the low standard error of estimates of 0.029 litres shows that water demand in the communities could be predicted using the 13 variables. Policy and planning measures to improve the water supply situation of the area were suggested. Key words: Capital, communities, factors, peri-urban, water demand.
Highlights
The problem of increasing water demand relative to supply in urban areas of Nigeria has for decades engaged the attention of researchers (Oyebande, 1976; Mabogunje, 1980; Ayoade 1984; Ibeziakor, 1985; Anyadike and Ibeziako, 1987; Ezenwaji, 2009)
Authors in the area have paid scanty attention in examining water demand relative to supply in the peri-urban areas. This has almost always resulted in faulty estimations of urban water supply in most Nigerian urban areas as supply meant for the built up areas are often extended to the surrounding settlements
Water supply achieved a high percentage of demand in Ezinato (90%), Amansea (87%), Urum (83%), Isuaniocha (80%), Umuawulu (72%) and Nimo (70%), four of these communities namely Ezinato, Amansea, Urum and Isuaniocha are located in the Mamu plain, an area with so many streams and rivers, while Nimo and Umuawulu located on the Awka-Orlu upland achieved the level of water supply ascribed to them because of large presence of springs in their respective locations
Summary
The problem of increasing water demand relative to supply in urban areas of Nigeria has for decades engaged the attention of researchers (Oyebande, 1976; Mabogunje, 1980; Ayoade 1984; Ibeziakor, 1985; Anyadike and Ibeziako, 1987; Ezenwaji, 2009). Authors in the area have paid scanty attention in examining water demand relative to supply in the peri-urban areas. This has almost always resulted in faulty estimations of urban water supply in most Nigerian urban areas as supply meant for the built up areas are often extended to the surrounding settlements. The consequence has been the much experienced long period of dry taps in those areas. To solve this problem, residents of such areas have resorted to fetching and buying water from water sources of doubtful quality with the dire consequence of being afflicted with water-borne diseases
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