Water Shortage And Health Problems In Benue State-Nigeria: Impacts And Prospects For Solutions

In view of the importance of water to the existence of human life, this research attempts to identify the various sources of water, their quality, and the resulting effects when in short supply within the Tse-Agberagba , Akpagher and Ibbilaalukpo communities of Benue state. In this study, questionnaires were administered, field survey which involves direct observation of the existing water sources and oral interview were conducted. The field survey and oral interviews revealed the available sources of water in the areas which include; Stream, Borehole, Rain, and Well. The questionnaires explored the various uses of water as well as the effects of water shortage within the communities. Also, water samples from the various sources were analysed for; Colour, pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Total Iron, Chloride concentration, Sulphate, Total Suspended Solids, E-Coli, and Total Coliform. It is discovered that, there is short in water supply to meet the water demand of the people; hence, high prevalence of water shortage and associated health and other problems. About 95% of the settlements have no water supply facilities to compliment natural water supply sources like streams and rainwater. The result of the analysis indicated that almost all the streams and well water in the three communities were not safe for drinking as a result of high E-coli and coliform count, thus causing pathogenic diseases. Borehole and rainwater sources which are short in supply within the communities were discovered to be the best if properly collected and stored.