Clustering of potable water sources in rural Oyo state, Nigeria: Implications for equitable distribution and sustainability

Adesola Adediran, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Lead City University P.O. Box 30678 Ibadan, Oyo State, NigeriaFollow
Ibrahim O. Raufu, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Lead City University P.O. Box 30678 Ibadan, Oyo State, NigeriaFollow

Section

Physical Sciences

Abstract

Adequate and equitable access to potable water remains a major challenge in rural communities of Oyo State, Nigeria, with uncoordinated provision leading to widespread shortages. This study employs geospatial techniques to assess the spatial distribution of water supply sources across five purposively selected rural communities in Olorunsogo Local Government Area (OLGA). Geographic coordinates of boreholes, hand-dug wells, and other potable water sources were collected using a handheld Garmin GPS 76S device. Spatial analysis was conducted using ArcGIS, and Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA) was applied to evaluate the pattern of distribution. Results indicate a strong tendency toward clustering, with a Nearest Neighbour coefficient (Rn) of 0.274 and a Z-score of 7.35 (p < 0.01), demonstrating that potable water supply sources are unevenly distributed. The findings highlight critical areas with limited water access and underscore the importance of integrating geospatial technologies and community participation into planning and management to achieve equitable distribution and sustainability of rural water supply facilities.

Recommended Citation

Adediran, Adesola and Raufu, Ibrahim O. (2026) "Clustering of potable water sources in rural Oyo state, Nigeria: Implications for equitable distribution and sustainability," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 52: Iss. 3, Article 17.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2167