Sustainability of Borehole Water Schemes Through Community Participation in Ejigbo, Osun State

Abstract

The study evaluates the contributions of community efforts to the borehole water supply schemes in Ejigbo Local Government Area (LGA). It examines the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, enumerates the number of boreholes and their functionality, identifies the Agency that sponsored the provision of water scheme(s) and suggests measure of sustainance of the boreholes in the area. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary source involves the enumeration of the total number of boreholes in the area, 250 structured questionnaires were administered using systematic random sampling method to collect information on the number of boreholes, their functionality, Agencies involved in the provision and community contributions.  Data gathered were analysed using both descriptive and regression statistics to affirm the degree of functionality of boreholes in the area.

The study revealed that 36 boreholes were in poor condition and needed repairs to function effectively. Communities were not much involved in the maintenance of boreholes in the area, hence, there was no sense of belonging by the people for repairs and maintenance.  The study therefore recommends command approach in addition to the existing practice for sustainable water supply in the area.

Keywords: water, borehole, functionality and sustainability