Assessment of the Quantity and Quality of Harvested Rainwater in Igah Communities of Kogi State, North West Nigeria

Abstract ] 1 , Ayatu O. Usman[0000-0002-6039-5468] 2 , George-Best Azuoko*[0000-0002-8836-3062] 2 and Obinna C. Akakuru[0000-This study assessed the quantity and quality of harvested rainwater in Igah communities of Kogi state, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used in data collection, interview and secondary data sources. Stratified random sampling was employed in the sampling of the respondents. 395 copies of questionnaire were determined using Taro Yammane and administered, while 372 of them were completely returned. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to collapse the various variables responsible for the quantity of rainwater consumed into few underlying dimensions and the rainwater samples into significant orthogonal components. After the PCA, Principal Component Regression (PCR) analysis was used to express the relationship between the quantity of rainwater supplied and the four isolated components of the factors responsible for the quantity of rainwater in the area. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean rainwater consumption per person per day of 8.2 litres is far below the WHO recommended standard. Results also showed that all the physico-chemical parameters analyzed were below the WHO (2017) and NSDWQ (2007) permissible limit for drinking water standard. Again, total coliform count were far above the WHO (2017) drinking water specification of 0cfu/100ml but fell within the 10cfu/100ml permissible limit of NSDWQ (2007) and hence treatment is needed in terms of total coliform. Analysis of Water Poverty Index (WPI) showed low level of water poverty in the area. We recommend further investigation into water scarcity situation in the area and proper treatment of rainwater before consumption to avoid the incidence of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related diseases.