Investigaton of Ground Water Potentiality in Obasanjo Quarters Damaturu, Yobe State

Groundwater is the most utilized source of domestic potable water in Damaturu metropolis of Yobe State, Nigeria as a result of the paucity of surface water resources, which, due to climate variability, population increase and higher anthropogenic activities, are depleting over time. This study, therefore, assessed the groundwater potential of Obasanjo Quarters, Damaturu for zoning appropriate areas for sustainable borehole siting. A total of Seven (7) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) lines, performed using the Schlumberger array, were used to characterize subsurface geoelectric layers in the study area and to delineate aquiferous targets. Interpreted resistivity data shows several geoelectric layers, mainly inter-bedded sands, clays, silt and sandy clay lenses characteristic of the Chad Formation with unconfined and confined aquifer conditions across many sounding points. This is supported by the curve types of K, KH and mainly A-types generated from the sounding data, which show good hydrogeological conditions across the study area. However, several VES points had low resistivity layer at depth of ~80 m to ~350 m and interpreted as saturated layers with high groundwater potential and suggested drilling depth of 90 ± 5 m to 350 ± 5 m. The study therefore confirms that Obasanjo Quarters has exploitable groundwater bearing formations, and therefore, can support domestic and municipal water supply. This result provides basis for informed drilling of boreholes and for sustainable groundwater management in Damaturu metropolis, where water table is on the decline and reported cases of borehole failures are rife in recent times.