Quantitative Assessment of Groundwater Within Paiko Sheet, North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Quantitative assessment of groundwater within Paiko Sheet has been carried out to determine the sustainability of groundwater quantity of the area for the rising population. Empirical method that makes use of the multiples of saturated aquifer thickness, effective porosity and area extent was used to established the groundwater quantity of the area while groundwater recharge potential was determined with Total annual replenishable recharge (TARR) method. The population of the area was estimated with exponential growth equation. The minimum and maximum static water level above sea level for dry season was 138.27m and 534.43m respectively while the minimum and maximum static water level above sea level for wet seasons was 139.07m and 534.93m respectively. The minimum and the maximum groundwater fluctuation is 0.1m and 2.2m respectively with an average of 0.9m. The average depth of wells within the studied area was 5.6m. The groundwater flow predominantly in southern direction with local variation in flow as a result of topographic influence. The estimated groundwater quantity of the area is 3.10km3 and the annual consumption for domestic purposes is approximately 0.014km3. Groundwater recharge potential of the area is 0.28km3. The groundwater quantity and groundwater recharge results show that the groundwater held in storage can sustain the domestic demand of the inhabitants of the studied area.