Assessment of Recharge and Discharge Areas in Abakiliki and Environs Using Hydrologic Parameters in Shallow Wells

Abstract

This research assessed the recharge and discharge areas in Abakiliki and environs to determine the direction of groundwater movement. Three major stages of procedures were used in this research: data collection, processing, and interpretation. With the aid of a water level indicator, the static water level in hand-dug wells was measured and recorded. The Global positioning system (GPS) was used to measure the longitude, latitude and the surface elevations concerning the mean sea level to the lowest surface of the earth. The surface elevation at different points varied considerably. The data were collected from one hundred and forty-three (143) wells at different locations in the mapped area which are: Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, Agbaja, ObubraAmachi, Nkwagu, Azuiyiokwu, Ekaeru Inyimagu and were contoured. From the result, groundwater moves from points P1 to P3 with highest hydraulic head or elevation in South of the study area comprising: Abakaliki, Agbaja, and Umuoghara and flows from point D1 to D3 Northeastward of the study area passing through Azuiyiokwu ,Ekaeru - Inyimagu and Ndiechi - Igbeagu. The study recommends among others, that boreholes for potable water supply should be sited in the Southern or Northwestern region of the area, since they are the recharge areas and not within the Northeastern part of the region, since they are the discharge areas; also that dumpsites should be sited within the Northeastern part of the region since contaminant moves in the direction of groundwater flow and not in the Southern or Northwestern part of the regions in order to minimize groundwater contamination by dumpsites.