Groundwater Potentials Estimation of a Basement Terrain Using Pumping Test Data for Parts of Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Aquifers derived from the crystalline basement rocks for parts of Sanga Local Government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria consist of clay, silt, sand, gravel and laterite materials which may be in various proportions. Using Cooper-Jacobs non-equilibrium graphical method, the hydraulic properties were estimated from pumping test data of 18 boreholes. Conductivity varies from 1.02 × 10−2 m/s to 4.07 × 10−2 m/s and transmissivity varies from 1.14 × 10−1 m2/s to 4.40 × 10−1 m2/s. The values of specific capacity range between 1.03 × 10−1 m2/s/m and 9.00 × 10−2 m2/s/m, and these values indicate that the aquifers in the area have low to moderate ground water potentials. The low yield range of between 0.45 l/s and 1.00 l/s recorded in the area shows the heterogeneous and anisotropy nature of the basement aquifer system in terms of groundwater discharge. On the average, the boreholes assessed have potentials to sustain local to regional supply provided the best drilling method and materials are used and well completion properly done.