Annals of Geographical Studies Volume 1, Issue 1, 2018, PP 90-99 Portable Water Distribution Problems in Kano Municipal, Nigeria: Implications for Urban Agriculture 1 Kankara, I. A. and 2 Farouk, H. A. 1 Department of Geology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma 2Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja *Corresponding Author: Kankara, I. A., Department of Geology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, [email protected] ABSTRACT The aim of this research work was to evaluate and assess the main sources of water and the various factors that affect potable water distribution problems in Kano municipal. The methodology adopted here is primary method and secondary method where the data collected from the 384 questionnaires distributed to six (6) selected sampled areas, namely: Zango, Sheshe, Yakasai, Shahuchi, Zaitawa and Gandu. Institutions that relate to water supply in Kano state were also summoned and investigated. The collected data were analyzed by statistical techniques and presented in the study. Also, the research concluded that the water supply in Kano municipal do not meet the demand due to some problems such as insufficient number of water treatment plant, power failure and shortage of fund and so on. Finally the research suggests solution to the identified shortcoming in water supply in the study Area. Keywords: Water Distribution, Portable, Problems, Kano State. INTRODUCTION However, field observation of the water situation in the city revealed that portable water Kano State is located in the dry zone of northern is still very much a problem. Individual have Nigeria (buffer zone), has for long been tried to invest in tap water installation in their suffering from shortage of table water. Water is homes but most of the time the taps are druid, an essential element in the maintenance of all when water runs it is in trickle and a couple of forms of life and most living organisms can hours. Apart from some problems of lack of survive only for short period without water. The adequate information for projection of needs in critical problem in the area is the provision of the city misappropriation of some of the funds portable water for human consumption and or poor management of some equipment’s also other domestic uses. The experience of shortage hindered the steady supply of water. There is a has been on the increase with increase in poor maintenance, culture and callousness of population growth both by natural increase and certain individual who damage the pipes and immigration. Even during the rainy season sabotage the government’s effort. It is this that portable water seem to be difficult in getting in the present researcher wishes to investigate some wards. Water shortage and pollution are (Baba, 1987). universal problems but are acute in developing countries. The united nation water decade The Tamburawa water works (TWW) is named (1980-1990) focused on developing countries as old and new Tamburawa, old Tamburawa and tried to encourage increased investment by Water Works commenced in 1986 with capacity the governments and donor bodies on water of 9.6 million liters (of water) and then it was project. The State is also a beneficiary of upgraded to supply 20 Million litres, and New foreign aids. From early 1970, Kano state Tamburawa water treatment plants has the government has tried to invest considerable capacity to supply 150 million liters of water to amount of money on improving the water the Kano city and its surrounding environs. situation in the state. Also it is estimated by Some of the Kano state dams located in the state some water bodies that Kano would free from are Challawa Gorge dam, Tiga dam, Thomas water shortage for the rest of the 20th century dam, Watari dam, and Kussalla dam (Abaje et and well into 21st century. al, 2012; Biswan, 1978). The two larger rivers Annals of Geographical Studies V1 ● I1 ● 2018 90 Portable Water Distribution Problems in Kano Municipal, Nigeria: Implications for Urban Agriculture found in Kano contain water throughout the year minimum of 15°.8c although sometimes during and most of the streams are seasonal in nature. the harmattan it falls down to as low as 10°c. It Tiga and Challawa dams are among the largest has two seasonal periods, which consist of four dams in Africa. These two dams were constructed to five months of wet season and along dry by Kano state government in the 1970s. These season lasting from October to April (Adamu et rivers are dammed to stored huge amount of al, 2013; KNSN, 2005). water in surface reservoirs for various purposes. The vegetation of Kano state is the semi-arid STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM savanna. The sudan savanna is sandwitched by the sahel savanna in the north and the guinea With urban industrialization, social development savanna in the south. The savanna has been and population increase water consumption is described as the zone that provides opportunity growing. At the same time water pollution and for optimal human attainment. This is because it improper utilization are causing depletion of the is rich in faunal and floral resources, it is water resource. The daily average water use per suitable for both cereal agriculture and livestock resident of Kano municipal L.G.A. is greater rearing, and the environment is relatively easy than national average which is 35 gallon in for movement of natural resources and (1998-2001). Already the consumption greater manufactured goods (Adamu et al, 2013; than 50 is grossly inadequate. Kano is now one Holmberg, 1991). The natural vegetation of the of the top five largest cities in Nigeria with a Kano state has been modified as result of population of about 9,383,682 million people several centuries of human activities such as census 2006. Thus it is surprising that Kano bush cleaning and burning for cultivation and municipal is facing serious shortage problem of hunting as well as animal grazing (Kankara & portable water supply. Yet, there is water in the Adamu, 2013; Daifun, 1996). Tiga reservoir, again Challawa Gorge Dam has been proposed. Can we assume that there will be Topography and Soil no shortfall at all? Presently can it be said that Kano state falls mostly within the guinea the Tiga Dam does not have sufficient water for savanna zones bodering it on the south it is a greater Kano. semi-arid region (see figure 2) Two prominent SCOPE AND LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA hills: Dala and Gwauran dutse are the main features. In the natural state, the soils formed on Kano is located on the north-central part of the crystalline acid rocks occupy about two fifth of high plains of northern Nigeria on an elevation the state to the south, south west and south east, of 473M above sea level. Kano municipal is a the brown and reddish brown soil and lotosols Local Government area within the Kano urban occur in the north half; the brown and reddish area in Kano state. It`s headquarters are in Kofar soils are in the north eastern corner; and the kudu, in the south of the city. It has an area of juvenile and hydromorphic soils occur along the 17km2 and a population of 365,525 (NPC, 2006; alluvial channel complexes (Adamu et al, 2013; KSGN, 1990) The Kano municipal Local CNN, 1998). The soil largely reflects the Government areas has co-ordinates 11° 57` 07`` influence of parent materials. Intensive use of N 8° 32`25`` E / 11°.95194N 8°.54028E (see the soils and addition of manure and chemicals figures 1 & 2) fertilizers have altered their character, profile, Climate and Vegetation structure and chemical characteristics (Kavanagh, 1967) Climate of the area determines the amounts of water available both on the surface and sub- Population and Economic Activities surface at any given time within a year. Climate Indigenes of Kano state are predominantly also controls the regimes and other Hausa but there are considerable number of ̊characteristics of the rivers. In order to meet the Fulani`s and non-hausa speaking group from challenges of acute water shortage construction north living in the walled city. The 2006 census of dams were planned in 1969. By 1985 more estimated to be 9,383,682 million people and than 24-25 earth dam have been constructed. study area has a population of 365,525 people. Kano is in tropical wet and dry type of climate (NPC, 2006) (i.e AW Koppen’s). Continentality and latitudinal Kano state has been a commercial area and position of Kano determines mostly by climate agriculture-driven state, which is known for the condition of the area. The temperature of Kano production of groundnuts as well as for its solid usually ranges between a maximum of 33°c and mineral deposit. The state has more than 18,684 91 Annals of Geographical Studies V1 ● I1 ● 2018 Portable Water Distribution Problems in Kano Municipal, Nigeria: Implications for Urban Agriculture square kilometers (7,241 sqmi) of cultivated etc. Kano municipal is more with commercial land and is mostly extensive irrigated state in activities and less cultivated land, the majority the country. Kano state consisted of major of its people are engage in commercial activities market like kwari market, singer market, Sabon almost 70% of its population. gari market, Kurmi market, Dawanau market, Fig.1 Map of Kano Metroplitant Showing study area. Fig.2 Map of the study area. Population Questionnaire- open ended questionnaire has been used in conducting this research study. Indigenes of Kano State are predominantly Also hundred numbers of questionnaires have Hausa but there are considerable number of been distributed within the study area.