IMPACT OF WATER CONSUMPTION PATTERNS ON RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN MANGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study employs a mixed-methods design to assess household water access and its implications for rural livelihoods in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 420 households using stratified random sampling, alongside 12 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Quantitative analysis reveals that 78% of households using boreholes or wells report stable crop yields, compared to only 34% of those relying on rain-fed or surface water sources (χ² = 43.56, p < 0.001). Time spent fetching water also significantly affects income: households spending over two hours daily earn an average of ₦3,900 per week, versus ₦7,500 for those spending less than one hour (ANOVA: F(2,417) = 32.74, p < 0.001). Furthermore, waterborne illness frequency is negatively correlated with income (R² = 0.27, β = -0.42, p < 0.01), while logistic regression shows that water sufficiency significantly predicts household food security (OR = 3.9, p < 0.001). Gender analysis reveals that only 28% of women who spend more than two hours on water collection engage in income-generating activities, compared to 74% of those collecting water for under one hour (χ² = 39.84, p < 0.001). These findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable water infrastructure and gender-sensitive water management strategies to enhance productivity, health, and food security in rural Nigeria.