288-6 The Effect of Water Scarcity on Human Health in Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Session: Indigenous Teaching and Research in the Geosciences: Approaches to Indigenizing Geoscience Across Multiple Contexts

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Akko Local Government Area in North-Eastern Nigeria experiences chronic water scarcity due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors. This region, which lies at 10° 17' 20" N and 10° 58' 23" E in the semi-arid zone of the country, is characterized by low and erratic rainfall, high evapotranspiration rates, and prolonged dry seasons. These climatic conditions significantly limit surface water availability and natural groundwater recharge. The study area is underlain by Precambrian basement complex rocks and overlying sandstone formations that host shallow, unconfined aquifers with water tables close to the surface, making them particularly vulnerable to contamination from surface runoff and poor sanitation practices. Together, these environmental and geological conditions make Akko particularly susceptible to water insecurity and related health risks.

This study investigates water access and quality across five communities using household surveys, interviews, and laboratory analysis of water samples from streams, wells, boreholes, and rainwater storage. Water quality parameters including turbidity, E. coli, iron, and nitrate concentrations were analyzed and compared against WHO and national water quality standards. Results reveal that over 70% of tested water sources exceed contamination thresholds, particularly during the dry season, with 60% of households reporting recent waterborne illnesses, including typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea. Women and girls bear disproportionate responsibility for water collection, resulting in significant physical, educational, and socioeconomic consequences for these vulnerable populations.

These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions including improved aquifer protection measures, enhanced sanitation infrastructure, and community-based water management strategies to mitigate public health risks and enhance water security in water-stressed semi-arid regions of Nigeria.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-9633

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