Groundwater Recharge, Rainwater Harvesting and Regulations for Sustainable Water Resources Development in Nigeria

The average precipitation in Nigeria is 1,150 mm with a total internally generated runoff of 287 billion cubic meters (BCM)/year and a surface water resources potential of about 333 BCM/year. The internally generated water resources potential is estimated at 287 BCM/year, while the total water resources potential with inflow from neighboring countries is estimated at 375 BCM/year. About 88 BCM/year of water enters from neighboring countries, which roughly indicates that almost 24% of surface water resources in Nigeria rely on inputs from neighboring countries and the rest is from inside Nigeria. The total water demand in Nigeria for the year 2010 was estimated at 5,933 million cubic meters per day (MCM/day) which is 2,165 BCM/year, while by the year 2030, it is estimated to rise to 16,585 MCM/day, hence the need for alternative water supply from rainwater harvestingRainwater harvesting and groundwater development. In addition to problems of water quantity, there are also problems of water quality. Pollution of water sources is posing a major problem for water users as well as impeding the maintenance of natural ecosystems. However, the management and development of the water sector face many challenges, including pressures on water resources and the increasing uncertainty being experienced with climate changeClimate change. It is therefore recommended that the National Water Resources Policy and regulations should be aimed at providing a framework for addressing all challenges through the application of effective Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and putting in place all that is necessary for effective and workable best international practices in the water sector. Finally, to meet the objectives of the policy and regulations, IWRM will be fully entrenched in all eight Hydrological Areas in the Country and should be operating successfully by the year 2030. Special variability of rainfall and the uncertainty imposed on rainfall by climate changeClimate change is becoming an issue. To address that a plan on rainwater harvestingRainwater harvesting and recharging the aquifersAquifers artificially is to be framed for the entire Country. With increasing groundwater extraction, the space for recharge would also be available more as water levels are lowered, creating scope for recharging more water beyond the natural recharge.