Bridging the Divide : The Challenges of Sustainable Water Supply to Peripheral Settlements of Kaduna Metropolis

Abstract

Water problems of urban areas vary greatly with those of peripheral areas. While most cities have provisions for pipe borne water supply, the challenge of the periphery is the lack of provision for supply of pipe borne water. This study provides understanding of potentials and challenges for sustainable water supply in peripheral settlements as basis for intervention. Thirteen settlements were identified cutting across the two local government areas where peripheral growth is dominant: Chikun and Igabi. Data collection and analysis was conducted in 70% of the identified peripheral settlements. A sample size of 0.5% was drawn from 61,182 households constituting 305 questionnaires, from which only 269 were retrieved for analysis. Results reveal poor access to pipe borne water and over dependence on boreholes and dug wells; Valuable time is lost to water fetching. The need for sustainable water supply is established through indication of desire for pipe borne water supply; and willingness to pay for pipe borne water supply. Among the challenges to be surmounted to ensure sustainable water supply are: poor physical conditions of peripheral settlements; poor management of metropolitan growth; and water suppliers’ challenges. It is recommended therefore, that a comprehensive land use plan should be prepared which covers the metropolis and periphery; Legal recognition for the existing peripheral settlements; expansion of the capacity of the water treatment plants; and provision of public boreholes to meet water supply on the interim.