ASSESSING THE PATTERNS, CHALLENGES, AND DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD WATER SOURCE UTILIZATION IN MANGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate the sources, distribution, seasonal variability, and socio-economic implications of household water access in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 420 households were surveyed across six purposively selected communities using stratified random sampling. The study also included 12 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Quantitative findings reveal that boreholes serve as the dominant water source (35.71%), followed by hand-dug wells (28.57%) and streams (20.24%). Ownership analysis shows that 64.28% of water sources are publicly or community managed. Seasonal comparison highlights a shift in reliance from streams and wells in the wet season to boreholes and vendors in the dry season, with boreholes scoring highest in reliability (4.5/5). A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant relationship between distance to water sources and time spent collecting water (p < 0.01), where 64.3% of households travel between 0.5 and 2 km, spending up to 45 minutes per trip. Chi-square analysis (χ² = 22.4, p < 0.001) confirmed significant disparities in water access across communities. Additionally, correlation analysis (r = 0.78) between perceived safety and drinking preference indicates that safety perceptions strongly influence water source choice. These insights underscore the urgent need for sustainable water infrastructure and equitable distribution strategies to improve health, reduce gendered time burdens, and support rural livelihoods.