Indigenous Perception of Climate Variability and Domestic Water Use in Communities of Kurfi LGA, Katsina State, Nigeria (original) (raw)

The assessment of local perception on climate variability and domestic water use in Kurfi LGA of Katsina State. Thus, the set objectives were to assess the trend in climate conditions for the past Thirty-nine (39) years (1979-2019) in the study area; to examine the perception of the people on the effects of climate variability on domestic water use; to examine the sources, uses and water management, conservation and adaptation practices in use by the locals in the study area; and to examine the relationships between the trend in climatic pattern and the different adaptation practices in the study area. Three sample locations were purposively selected for the study: Kurfi town, Birchi, and Barkiya communities respectively. The primary data were through the administration of a structured questionnaire using a purposive sampling technique. The secondary data were for rainfall and temperature records for the study area covering thirty-nine (39) years. Findings indicate that the majority of the respondents were males and between 26-30 years of age. Most are farmers, with primary education as their highest qualification. The general rainfall trend for the study area is 0.43mm/annum and the temperature trend is 0.02 O C /annum. Wells (40%) and boreholes (37%) are major sources, but are poorly (48%) reliable and of poor (76%) quality. Drums (44%) and Jerricans (35%) are used for water storage, in which it is access daily (67%) to cater for an estimated household size of ten (10) (24%) persons. Mostly, the water is bought (55%) and water conservation (45%) being the coping strategy and management techniques adopted. Adaptation strategy for domestic water usage include construction of dams (59%), water reuse (69%), and sinking of boreholes (55%) in which respondents agreed with. Seasonal variability (50%), household activities (54%), and dilapidation of water facilities were identified as the factors militating against domestic water usage. Government should provide available tankers for the distribution of water in the areas that don't have boreholes and taps, especially Birchi and Barkiya districts; Renovation of the town water treatment plant (Water-board) to increase its capacity of supplying the LGA with portable water supply were recommended.