Meeting the Millennium Development Goals’ Target for Potable Water Supply through Borehole Construction in Nigeria- An Overview

Abstract

An overview of the success, challenges and prospects of the use of boreholes to meet the potable water supply target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria was carried out. The study employed an extensive review of literature on the quantitative and qualitative assessments of boreholes including their spatial coverage, across the country. Similarly, reports of studies on the progress made to attain the MDGs target in Nigeria were also evaluated. From the review, it was observed that adequate access might not have been achieved owing to the high rate of failure of boreholes and the poor coverage of the system. The presence of harmful substances in water from boreholes in many instances as revealed by previous bacteriological and physico-chemical studies across the country also puts a doubt on the reliability of the system for potable water supply. Although there is no consensus as regards the water supply status of the country, more reports showed that there is great challenge to the attainment of the MDGs target. Thus, the paper recommended amongst other things, quantitative and qualitative assessment of all existing boreholes across the country to identify non-functioning ones for repair and as well determine their level of wholesomeness, and compliance with international best practices in borehole construction. In addition, reduction of groundwater pollution through the enforcement of all environmental laws will help to achieve the MDGs target of water supply in the country.