Evaluation of aquifer parameters within Lokoja, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater is the most important source of water for domestic and commercial purposes. With an increase in rural-urban migration, access to potable water supply has decreased drastically, and available groundwater supply within the study area has also been affected by perennial low yield. Therefore, this work was targeted at evaluating the aquifer parameters of the study area using pumping test data. Constant rate pumping test with a single well was carried out in seven boreholes at selected locations in which the aquifers within the study area are unconfined. The static water level ranged from 4.5-16.7 m with a mean value of 8 m, while borehole depths ranged from 55- 70 m or an average borehole depth of 63 m. The yield of the boreholes is in the range of 48.9 to 115.9 m³/day. The hydraulic  conductivity ranged from 6.48×10^-7 to 2.1×10^-5 m/s with an average of 6.12×10^-6 m/s. The computed values of transmissivity ranged from 1.29×10^-3 - 3.57×10^-3 m²/s, and the specific capacity of the tested well ranged from 9.59×10^3 -1.96×10^-3 m^2/s. These results show that the aquifers within the study area can provide between 5000 to 40,000 liters of water per day based on the aquifer  transmissivity. The aquifers can therefore serve as sustainable and dependable sources of water all year round, with sufficient water to meet the domestic needs if properly developed. It is suggested that a similar study should be carried out with the presence of two or more observations well within the study area so as to aid regional planning and management of groundwater resources.