RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN THE BASEMENT COMPLEX OF WESTERN STATE, NIGERIA

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Abstract
This report attempts to synthesize all available surface and subsurface geological and hydrological information in the crystalline Basement Complex of Western State, Nigeria. The Basement Complex is exposed over more than 50 per cent of Western State and because of the uncertainty of available groundwater resources within it, surface water is the main source of domestic water supply. A reliable assessment of groundwater resources requires the cooperation among diversified disciplines—hydrogeology, geology, geophysics, chemistry, hydraulics and engineering. When dealing with crystalline rocks as potential sources of water supply, a knowledge of the distribution of structural and geomorphic features of such rocks is important in determining well sites to ensure a high success ratio. A low success ratio attending previous borehole programmes has led to the conclusion among practising water engineers that the Basement Complex is not a suitable source of groundwater supplies. This conclusion is here shown to be unfounded, and attributed to the practice of locating well sites by intuition. Scientific exploration is the only means of determining potential water zones in crystalline rocks. With the high rainfall and low surface runoff that is typical of the study area, a high rate of recharge into the overburden of the crystalline rocks is expected. The high incidence of water-borne diseases is traceable to the utilization of highly polluted stagnant or slow-moving surface waters. This problem can be very significantly minimized by a programme of rural water supply using hand-dug wells. Well location should be made by hydrogeologists and the digging could thereafter be accomplished through communal efforts.

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