Assessing the Effects of Human Activities on Surface Water Resources Availability and its Health Implications in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Surface water in Nigeria and all her sub-nationals exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability, driven by population growth, climate change, lithologic heterogeneity, and human extraction. This study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods in eliciting data from 378 respondents living along the surface water locations within the Jos metropolitan area. It utilized both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were obtained through questionnaire administration and field observation conducted on sampled respondents in Jos, Plateau State. The secondary data on the other hand were obtained from documented sources. In this study frequency tables and maps were used in presenting and analyzing the results. The study found out that the majority of the surface water sources dry up during dry seasons and get fully recharged during the wet season. The results were presented and analyzed using the descriptive test statistics of frequency tables and bar charts.The study identified mining, urbanization, poor sanitation commercial activities, agriculture, industrial and construction as the major human activities of the area that regressively affects water availability and quality in the area. Data also revealed that human activities also engendered quality, quantity and environmental management issues resulting from both microbial and organic pollutants, heavy metal pollution, sedimentation and siltation, turbidity, industrial pollution and blocked drains. These findings support regionally adaptive surface water governance that aligns pumping rates with recharge capacity. Such alignment is essential for maintaining irrigation viability, food security and healthy populations under changing climatic and hydrologic