Characterisation of Groundwater Potential Zones for Rural Water Supply in Parts of Kano State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Groundwater; Potential Zones; Characterisation; Rural areas; Kano.Abstract
Delineation and characterisation of groundwater potential zones was undertaken in sixteen rural areas that were
selected from eight local government areas of Kano State. Pumping tests were conducted in sixteen open wells
in the area. Depths to water levels were obtained from the open wells. Groundwater potential zones were
delineated through weighted overlay of the results and six thematic maps of the environmental conditions.
Groundwater potential zones were characterised based on environmental conditions and pumping test results.
Result showed that five groundwater potential zones were identified which are very high, high, moderate, low
and very low. It is established that areas with lower draw down of 7.81m to 9.70m at 30 minutes are areas with
higher discharge rates at 30 minutes of between 0.65L/m to 1.11 L/m;and areareas that fall within very high,
high and moderate Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZS). It can be observed that Riruwai, Zainabi, Tumbau,
Tudunkaya, Fammar and Tumbau recorded higher draw down of 13.80m to 15.40m at 30 minutes. In these same
areas, discharge was found to be 0.5 to 0.7L/m. It was also determined that very high, high and moderate
groundwater potential zones are characterised by alluvial soil, hydromorphic soils, and ferruginous soils; and
such areas geologically, are associated with pink and white granite, quartzite suits fractured valley fills and older
granitic formations of various types. Also, all good prospect areas are characterised by high lineament density,
high drainage density, high runoff, high vegetation cover and low relief or low slope values. Lithosols and
reddish to reddish brown soil areas are of poor potential.Based on these findings, it can be recommended that
groundwater potential map and thematic maps produced can be updated from time to time for water resources
development.In addition, study of this nature should be supported by more high resolution terrain data like radar
images.