Assessment of Water Needs in Ezinihitte Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study is aimed at assessing the water needs of the people of Ezinihitte LGA. This was cropped from the problem that emanated from the observed Government efforts on water provision, which had remained grossly inadequate to cover the entire communities, the dearth of available water facilities and how the villagers trek to long distances in search of water. Major issues of discourse included the distribution of water to households and how their water needs are tackled. Three hypotheses were tested and the questionnaire survey method was employed. The multi-stage sampling technique was used, and the sample size was 416. Data from the questionnaire were collected, tabulated into frequency distribution table and analyzed by using regression, correlation and ANOVA techniques. While testing the hypothesis, it was found that the quantity of water supplied was insufficient in the study area. Data from different sources show high positive correlation coefficient of variables indicating significant relationships between the quantities of water currently consumed and that required to be consumed. The study was concluded by recommending the involvement of the federal, state and local governments and other interest groups as well as the benefitting communities in water projects.