THE PULSE OF A THIRSTY CITY: TRACING THE LIFE OF WATER THROUGH URBAN METABOLISM AND MATERIAL FLOW IN JOS

Water is the heartbeat of urban life, circulating through homes, industries, and ecosystems to sustain the social and ecological metabolism of cities. This study explores the flow of water through the urban metabolism of Jos, Nigeria, integrating the principles of Urban Metabolism (UM) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA). Drawing on data from 400 surveyed households, each averaging five persons with a per capita consumption of 44.6 L/day, and accounting for 20 % distribution loss, the research estimates a total household inflow of 107 m³/day within the sample. Scaled to Jos’ projected 2024 population of 1,357,142 persons, the city’s overall daily water demand reaches 60,500 m³/day, with approximately 12,100 m³/day lost through leakage and inefficiencies. The analysis reveals an open-loop metabolism marked by high inflows, inefficient circulation, and weak reuse. Jos’ water network, built for a far smaller colonial-era population, now operates under severe strain, producing spatial inequities where wealthier households enjoy continuous access while low-income settlements face chronic scarcity. The study argues that Jos’ “pulse” can only be stabilized through circular water metabolism, integrating leak reduction, decentralized reuse, and participatory governance. Water, the pulse of this thirsty city, thus becomes both a diagnostic indicator and a pathway toward metabolic renewal and resilience.