Household Water Access and Coping Strategies in Nasarawa-Tsangaya Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water is central to human survival, public health, and socio-economic development, yet many peri-urban communities in northern Nigeria face persistent challenges of inadequate access, poor service reliability, and overdependence on self-provision. This study assessed household water sources, patterns of use, scarcity experiences, and coping strategies in Nasarawa-Tsangaya, a peri-urban settlement in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data from 100 validly completed questionnaires were analyzed using simple percentages. Results showed that boreholes and wells were the dominant household water sources (95%), while piped water accounted for only 5%. Water was primarily used for drinking and cooking, although most households also purchased water from vendors and stored it in plastic containers to manage shortages. Mechanical failure of boreholes was identified as the leading cause of scarcity, alongside seasonal variations and infrastructural limitations. The study concludes that household water supply in Nasarawa-Tsangaya is heavily reliant on groundwater and vulnerable to mechanical and institutional failures. It recommends enhanced operation and maintenance of boreholes, women’s participation in water governance, and increased adoption of household-level conservation practices.