Prospect and Challenges of Domestic Water Demand and Supply Rumuokwurusi Obio/Akpor Rivers State as Case Study
Chapter One
Aims and Objectives
The overall objective of this study is to assess the prospects and challenges of domestic water supply in Rumuokwurusi, Obio-akpo LGA, Rivers State.
Towards the attainment of the general objective, specifically, the study aimed to
- Analyse sources of water for domestic use.
- Assess factors or problems affecting water demand and supply
- Examine the consequences of the use of the alternative sources of water in the area
- Proffer possible solutions to the problems
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter presents a review of literature relevant to the study done by other scholars. The review comprises of the theoretical or conceptual framework and empirical studies.
Theoretical Background
This section provides a theoretical background to put the aim of the study in a theoretical context. It deals with the water crisis in the developing countries, domestic rural water supply, approaches to water supply and women empowerment and participation in water management.
The water crisis in developing countries
The cause of the global water crisis is believed to be far from a scarcity problem but rather a result of poverty, inequality, unequal power relations and flawed water management policies evident in most of the developing countries (UNDP, 2006). However, the fact that the voices of the marginalized groups especially women, are rarely heard by the policy makers illustrates another truth behind the water crisis (Perkins, 2008). Governments do not prioritize the needs of the marginalized and without support, even the NGO activities become unsustainable (Perkins, 2008). As a result, 1.1 billion People across the globe as reported in 2004 had no access to an improved drinking water source with a majority of them living in the rural areas (UNDP, 2006, Alford, 2007). Although water is seen as a source of life and a valuable natural resource that sustains the environment and supports livelihoods, it is increasingly being seen as a source of risk and vulnerability especially to the women (UNEP, 2004, UNDP, 2006). Women are the most vulnerable because in most societies, it is women’s responsibility and not a choice to ensure that there is enough clean and safe water for their households. (Buckingham 2000).
It is often emphasized that; in developing countries where coping with the water crisis is almost impossible, millions of women and girls spend most of their time looking for water to meet their households’ water needs (UNDP, 2006). Therefore, limiting their participation in productive economic activities especially for the women and low school enrolment for the girls (Coles, et al., 2005). This is worsened by policy constraints and gender inequalities that have resulted in low sustainability of the conventional communal water supplies leaving more people in the rural areas with no access to safe water for domestic use than it was in the 1990s’ (Sutton, 2008).
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter discus the methods used in collecting required information for the study. It presents the research design, sample size and sampling procedure as well as the technique(s) used in data analyses.
Research Design
In undertaking this study, survey research design was adopted aimed at assessing the problem and prospect of water supply in Rumuokwurusi, Obio-akpor LGA.. Rumuokwurusi was chosen as a case study for this research study.
A survey is described as consisting of the collection of data or information about a large number of people by interview, questionnaire or mere observation or contacting a representative sample of them (Ezejelue and Ogwo, 1990). Osuala (2001) with this prescription when he stated that:
“Survey research studies both large and small populations by selecting and studying samples relative incidence, distribution, and psychological variables (Osuala, 2001).”
This research design enabled the researcher with the opportunity to draw meaningful conclusions from the problem and prospect of water supply in the study area (Rumuokwurusi community)
Population of the Study
The population of this study comprises of all the people in Rumuokwurusi. . The study was conducted with an estimated population of 2,100 respondents (200 respondents from each unit) drawn from the community.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data and interpretation of findings based on the research questions.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The inability to obtain adequate water and water facilities to match the growing population in Rumuokwurusi Obio/akpor Rivers State has resulted into a social and economic problem in the area. Water is the key to developmental process of any nation, as a lack of steady water supply hinders to some extend the influx of entrepreneurs in establishing activities especially those that are water dependent.
This inadequate supply of treated water is however continuously causing problem of poor sanitation and bad health, leading to shorter life span as well as social and economic backwardness of the area. If this is not properly looked into, it will persist, thereby causing more problems to the area and the country as a whole.
In view of the above findings on problem and prospects of domestic water supply in Rumuokwurusi Obio/akpor Rivers State, the following recommendations are made.
Government should release fund for water projects to be carried out. Both state and federal government should put water as a major priority and they should not limit their activities to the developed or urban areas of the country at the expense of other areas.
Government should also go into the purchase of new water equipments, build public taps around as well as boreholes to prevent the use of other polluted sources, since these two are still the safest to all. They should also carry out an appraisal on water supply projects year in year out in order to have an update of water situation and water work activities.
The water board should work on different system of water shortage during the rainy season e.g. rain harvest from roof tops into large tanks, which can be treated and supplied to household during the dry season to curtail this storage since the dry season is the main season of shortage.
The water development agencies and hydrologist in particular should carry out proper feasibility study of any area before any water project is undertaken because every area is peculiar and not all projects will work in all areas.
Town planners as well as populace of these areas should have proper waste disposal method and should be conscious of environmental sanitation. They should avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water channels. This will help the well water users’ life. The location of wells in closer link with pit toilets should also be discouraged.
Given these recommendations, if adhered to, the water situation in the study area cannot but improve in quality, quantity and adequacy thereby reducing the occurrence of waterborne diseases.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made:
- The water board management should be carrying out constant repair, that is reparing of busted pipes around the metropolis.
- There should be constant monitoring of pipe line so as to be able to repair damaged pipes, this could be achieved by going round to check the water distribution.
- The government should endeavor to come to water board aid by proper funding so as to purchase the material needed. i.e special allocation of fund should be make available to the water board so as to improve their service.
- The water board should change their attitude of bias in distributing water to households not to favour Government Residential Areas at the expense of the masses in the town.
- There should be concerted efforts by water corporation and household to avoid water wastage, this can be achieved by public enlightenment through the mass media and the customers also should endeavor to report cases that can cause failure in water distribution.
- There should be an extension of water pipe to cover more areas especially in the rural areas and rusted pipes in the urban centre should also be replace with new one.
- The consumers should endeavour to pay their water bill regularly so as to improve the water supply
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