RAINWATER HARVESTING TO MEET THE PORTABLE WATER SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN TAYI VILLAGE MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

In semi-arid cities such as Tayi-village at Bosso local government area Minna of Niger state, with problems of aridity and a shortage of potable water supply to meet the increasing population, water demand is a major challenge faced by the residential in the studied area. It is against this backdrop that this study is aimed at rainwater harvesting RWH to meet the potable water supply of residents in the study area. The study used quantitative and qualitative methods of data analyses. Direct surveys, observation, rainfall records and water samples were collected from the available rainwater harvested sources in the area. Descriptive statistics; Mean, range, standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV) were determined. The parameters were tested for any significant difference amongst the sources. The study discovered that rainwater harvest is found to be technically feasible based on the prevailing rainfall pattern. Over 90% of households have a rooftop constructed from technically appropriate materials. Average roof of 80 m2 will collect 82,835 L/yr (45 L/person/day) for a family of five people, which is near the water demand for drinking and cooking purposes. The study concludes that, physiochemical properties of rainwater were most influenced by the types of harvested source and their component materials. Statistically significant differences were also observed in some physico-chemical quality parameters between corrugated iron roofing sheet and aluminum roofing sheets. The study hereby recommends that due to the type of roofing materials, rainwater should go through proper treatment in order to be used for potable purposes.