An Investigation Into Water Demand And Distribution In Ilorin West Local Government
[EGBEJILA]

CHAPTER TWO
2.0    LITERATURE REVIEW
    In this chapter the researcher tries to identify, locate, read and evaluate previous studies, contents related to the intended research. Ajadi (1996) viewed that in Nigeria and most developing countries, the water supply industry is managed by the state which transfers its ownership and administration to water agencies like water boards, water corporations etc. Increased urbanization, rapid growth of population and standard of living have been the major causes for the increase of urban and semi-urban water use resulting in changing supply pattern and more water consuming lifestyles. Increasing population, more household and industries connected to public water supply particularly in Ilorin, coupled with ineffective management of water resources have been leading to water crisis being experienced in the metropolis.
    Sule, Ayanshola and Salami (2010) carried out a survey on water use pattern in Ilorin, kwara state, Nigeria. The water use pattern study extends to various water consumers such as residential, institutional, commercial and industrial. The study was conducted by distribution of questionnaire and oral interview. The questionnaire contains questions related to water demand and distribution. The information obtained were analyzed and the results show that the residential water consumption varies from 46l/c/d to 115l/c/d with low value for high and medium density area, while high value is for low density area because of high standard of living. Amao and Omonona (2010) carried out a research on household water security in which the study examined household water security in Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area of Oyo State. The study revealed that the number of children in the household was found to significantly affect household water consumption, while number of males was negatively significant.
    Rainwater (26.2%) was the most common source of water available to households. Drinking water was mostly sourced from borehole (32.8%) and water keg (70.0%) was the mostly used storage facility. Also, households collect water  from less than 1km distance (57.5%); 60% use a maximum of 4 children and 85.5% involving at most 4 females to collect water for household consumption. Thus, more improved sources of water such as pipe borne water in-house was suggested to be made available to households in the study area to improve access to water for all household uses.
    Aderibigbe, Awoyemi and Osagbemi (2008) carried out research on adequacy and quality of water supply in Ilorin metropolis where results shows that majority of the respondents (62.9%) had access to pipe-borne water although this was not adequate to meet their needs. Other sources of water include wells, boreholes, rain water harvesting, rivers and packaged water (pure water). Respondents have to spend long hours and travel long distance to haul water daily. 64.8% of the respondents had access to less than the recommended 140 liters for all users (Mean 127.61 + 18.44 liters). Also, 65.4% of the respondents use less than 40 liters of water per day for their domestic purpose alone (mean 35.79 + 18.69). Respondents use water mainly for domestic and agricultural purpose. About 70% of respondents use water which has taste, colour or odour. Yet, only 59.2% of them practice any form of water treatment. Laboratory analysis revealed that water from stream/rivers was heavily contaminated with fecal califorms, water treatment methods used include boiling and use of chemicals.
It was then concluded that water is fairly available in Ilorin metropolis but it is quite inadequate with poor quality in terms of the biological component.
    It is recognized all over the world that water is a vital resource for human existence and it is a major factor in commanding the progress of civilization. Nigeria is experiencing an increase in rate of change in her population coupled with increased urbanization and standard of living. Thus, the increasing needs of water for domestic and other uses, places an increasing demand on our water resources. Water as a very vital resource is not in short supply in Nigeria and Ilorin in particular, but regulating its availability and ensuring even distributions is in fact a serious problem, (sule, et al., 1999). However, the quantity of portable water available for human use has received cries of inadequacies. Two extreme views have often been expressed regarding availability of water to man. Some believe that man is in his critical period in water consumption, and that demand is already overtaking supply. The other view is that water is sufficiently available for all the time everywhere worldwide. Both views are acceptable in terms of water resources availability across the geographical space.