Understanding variability of groundwater potentials in Western Sokoto Basin: implications for sustainable groundwater development

Abstract

This study evaluates potential groundwater variability using hydrogeological data from 113 boreholes in the western Sokoto basin. The data comprised of static water level (Swl), pumping test (Pt), pumping water level (Pwl), estimated yield (Ey), and hand pump setting (Hps). Data were obtained from the Department for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWASSA) Birnin kebbi. Multivariate analysis - Factor analysis (FA) was applied to analyse data. The FA indicated that most of the variability in groundwater is explained by variation in estimated yields. Boreholes in the Basement Complex section are characterised by lower yields than those in the Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Although the Gwandu formation is the most prolific aquifer, boreholes tapping the Illo formation are equally characterised by good water yield. Thus, the two aquifers present an excellent groundwater development potential which can be harnessed for large-scale irrigation, municipal and industrial uses. However, the lack of groundwater development restrictions driven by increased groundwater withdrawals has presented a tremendous challenge for sustainable groundwater resources management in the Sokoto basin. Thus, a policy guiding groundwater management is recommended.