ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF WELLS AND THEIR SUSTAINABILITY FOR DOMESTIC WATER CONSUMPTION IN GBAGYI VILLA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the environmental conditions of both open wells and boreholes water in Ghagyi village to determine the water suitability of these wells for domestic consumption. The objectives are to examine the environmental conditions and historical facts about the wells and to assess the strategies adopted by residents and the government towards improving the water quality of wells. A total of 342 respondents were purposively sampled for the study. Data were obtained through the use of a structured interview guide. Simple proportional percentages, pie charts and correlation coefficients were adopted in analysing the data. The result of the study on environmental conditions showed that 95% of the hand-dug wells sampled were covered with metal plates and lined with concrete rims. The result also shows that 73 % of the wells sampled were located near latrines, septic tanks and dirty surroundings. On the height of hand-dug wells above the ground level in meters, 84% of respondents raised their wells less than 0.4 meter height above ground level and treatment of wells is done by 58% of respondents against 42% not treating their well water. The result of strategies that can be employed to improve water quality shows that 53% of the respondents prefer to use a water filter, while 47% prefer using other forms of treatment for well water. Similarly, 43% of the respondents suggested the government should provide other alternative sources of water supply and equally subsidise water treatment materials to promote regular treatment of well water. The study concludes that the wells sampled were susceptible to contamination due to their location within close proximity to latrines, septic tanks, dirty surroundings, the low level of wells above ground level and no Government intervention measure toward improving water needs. The study recommends that the finishing of each well should include a watertight cover fixed with a suction pipe and hand/submersible bump to bring water to the surface through a tap. Hand-dug wells should not be sighted close to septic tanks, pit latrines, and dumpsites, among others.