Water supply and the impact on human development in Nigeria

摘要

The development of a society is incomplete without adequate water supply. Uncertainties and risks of pollution (industrial, human and bacterial contamination), land-use change, unhygienic human practices, climatic and seasonal variations are often prevalent in most communities, and consequently have adverse short- and long-term effects on the quality of water, and the living and health conditions of the inhabitants. This paper adopts an intensive field work survey and personal observations to examine some risks of water shortages, inadequate storages, rainfall variations, affordability and opportunity cost, as well as their effects in the development of water supply in three local government areas of Anambra State: Nnewi South, Idemili North and Idemili South. Solutions to minimizing these risks, as well as adequate measures to boosting water development in the state, are presented.