Abstract

Groundwater is a renewable geologic resource that constitutes 95% by volume of global supply of liquid fresh water. It is considered as the major source of potable water supply in the Niger Delta. Yet inadequate attention is given to the management of this essential resource to human existence in the region. This paper reviews and examines the health need, mostly drinking and domestic uses, and societal production functions of groundwater in the Niger Delta as a basis for sustainable management of the resource. Discussed also are threats to the sustainable use of the resource which include industrial pollution, poor waste management by the people, salt water intrusion due to climate change, saline water entrapment associated with the Benin formation, unregulated drilling of water bore-hole, subterranean oil pipeline leakage due to oil exploration and production activities and high rate of abstraction attributed to high demand for clean and potable water due to high human population density in the area. Strategies suggested for sustainable use and management of groundwater are development of sustainable management policy and objectives, groundwater quantity and quality mapping and assessment in the area, adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise, good waste management practice, environmental education, and attitudinal change. It is believed that adequate priority to the management of groundwater by the appropriate agency, private sectors, and individuals will enhance sustainable and optimum use of the resource in the Niger Delta.

Keywords: Groundwater; Resource; Sustainable use; Management