DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFLUENCES ON GROUNDWATER RELIANCE FOR DOMESTIC USE IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

In a rapidly urbanizing Gombe Metropolis, where groundwater has become the primary water source for most households, understanding the demographic and socio-economic factors shaping its use is essential to mitigate an emerging water security crisis. This study investigates how demographic and socio-economic characteristics influence groundwater usage patterns and explores their implications for sustainable water management. A total of 394 respondents were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling technique across 14 wards in four Local Government Areas of the metropolis. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and field observations, capturing household income, education, occupation, household size, and water use behaviors. Descriptive statistics were employed to present frequencies and percentages, while inferential analyses including Spearman’s rank-order correlation and Chi-square tests were used to examine the relationships between variables. The findings show that male respondents constituted 66.5% of the sample, with the predominant age group being 39–59 years (33%). Educational attainment was generally low, with 13.7% having no formal education and only 26% attaining tertiary education. Occupation-wise, 24% were engaged in trading, 21% in civil service, and 18.5% in farming. About 51% of households rely primarily on groundwater sources, while 23% use municipal supply, 20% depend on rainwater, and only 3% use surface water. Groundwater dependency was high, with 36% of respondents relying on it for 51–75% of their needs. A strong, statistically significant correlation was observed between household size and daily water consumption (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.001) and between income level and groundwater dependency (ρ = 0.79, p < 0.001). Chi-square tests further confirmed significant associations between income and groundwater reliance. Despite groundwater’s importance, issues of reliability and treatment persist; only 25% found it very reliable, while 41% never treat it before use. The study recommends public education, regular quality monitoring, and investment in alternative municipal and rainwater infrastructure to ensure sustainable groundwater use.