Abstract

The three major sources of water are easily accessible in the Central Niger Delta area. The tributaries of the River Niger form a complex network of rivers, streams and lakes; groundwater is available at relatively shallow depths for abstraction; and rainfall lasts for about 9 months and varies from about 3500 to 2000 mm per annum. On relatively sophisticated water supply systems, groundwater is the most exploited but it is characterized with poor quality related to oxides of iron and magnesium. The surface water sources are open to all kinds of activities while rainwater harvesting is relegated to the background. However, the amount of rainfall falling in the Central Niger Delta area is worth exploiting, especially with the prevalent challenges to using other sources. Thus, the potential of harnessing rainwater in the central Niger Delta is explored in this paper using a mass curve analysis with an illustration of its efficacy, flexibility and the sensitivity of the analysis.

Key words: Rainwater harvesting, mass curve, water supply, water demand, Niger Delta.