A study of the rural water supply- demand situation in South West Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the water supply-demand characteristics in selected rural communities in South West Nigeria. The issue of safe water availability and accessibility was also investigated. Primary data generated through the use of questionnaire. In addition, the study employed focus group discussion and key informant interview techniques targeted at relevant stakeholders to gather additional data and information which were analyzed using relevant statistical techniques. The results showed that the water supply-demand situation of the area was characterized by a lot of water demand deficits with substantial percentage of the population being impacted by water shortages. The study attributed this partly to the absence of potable water supply in some of the rural communities as well as the below optimum performance of some of the water supply systems where they were available. The future water supply-demand characteristics of the area were also analyzed in relation to the projected population. The results showed that based on the current projection, there is likely to be a further worsening of the water supply-demand situation in the area unless some positive actions are embarked upon to improve the water supply systems. Based on the foregoing, the study highlighted some possible policy options aimed at addressing the issue of sustainable rural water supply in the study area. © 2011 WIT Press.