Water

By Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD

For decades, residents of Kano have lived with a persistent and worsening water crisis. What should have been treated as a state emergency has instead become a normalised hardship. In a city of over 10 million people, access to clean and reliable water remains uncertain for millions.

Water is the most basic requirement for life. Yet in Kano, households, businesses and institutions struggle daily to secure it. This is not due to a lack of infrastructure alone, but a combination of systemic neglect, poor planning and weak execution.

The state’s municipal water supply depends largely on two major treatment plants—Chalawa and Tamburawa. The Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant, built during the administration of former Governor Shekarau, was designed to produce 150 million litres of water per day. However, it has never reached that capacity.

Having worked at the plant as an intern in 2013, I saw its potential. Unfortunately, that potential has remained unrealised due to multiple challenges.

One of the major problems is the inadequate supply of raw water. The Kano River, which feeds the Tamburawa plant, has been affected by both climate variability and upstream water diversion. The Tiga Hydropower facility, for instance, significantly reduces the volume of water reaching the treatment plant.

Infrastructure decay is another critical issue. Key components of the water system—from intake pumps to filtration units—are either poorly maintained or no longer functional. Clarifiers, sedimentation tanks and filter beds have deteriorated over time, while high-lift pumps are frequently out of service.

Electricity supply further complicates the situation. Water treatment and distribution require stable power, yet the plants operate under erratic electricity conditions. This limits their ability to function effectively and consistently.

Perhaps the most fundamental flaw lies in the distribution system itself. The Tamburawa plant water supply model relies heavily on direct pumping from treatment plants to households. There are few, if any, functional elevated storage reservoirs to support gravity-based distribution. As a result, water flows only when pumps are running—an inefficient system that drives up energy costs and leaves many areas without water for long periods.

Regulatory lapses have also contributed to the problem. Damaged pipelines caused by construction activities are often left unrepaired, while leakages and illegal connections go unchecked. This further weakens an already fragile system.

In response to these challenges, many residents and commercial centres have turned to boreholes. While this offers temporary relief, it poses a long-term threat. Excessive groundwater extraction is already leading to declining water tables, dried wells and environmental stress.

The Kano State Government’s recent allocation of N21 billion for water infrastructure upgrades is a step in the right direction. However, funding alone will not solve the problem unless it is backed by sound planning and accountability.

There is an urgent need to invest in elevated water storage systems across the city. By pumping treated water into strategically located reservoirs, distribution can be sustained through gravity. This will reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and ensure a more reliable supply.

Equally important is the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and the adoption of modern technologies. Power supply to water facilities must also be prioritised, possibly through dedicated or alternative energy sources.

Looking ahead, Kano must plan for its future. As the fastest-growing urban centres in northern Nigeria, these cities will see increasing demand for water. The state should begin developing new water treatment plants using available irrigation dams and other water sources.

Kano’s water crisis is no longer just an infrastructure issue—it is a public health and economic concern. Access to clean water should not be a privilege. It is a basic right.

The time has come to move beyond promises and take decisive action.

Engr. Kabir Bashir Shariff, PhD, can be contacted via kabir-bashir.shariff@unicaen.fr.

By Amrah Musa Kamaruddeen

Water is vital for our health, influencing everything from digestion to metabolism. While most people focus on how much water they drink, the temperature of that water can also have significant effects on our health. Water temperatureis measured using two primary scales: Celsius and Fahrenheit. Celsius is the most commonly used scale globally, while Fahrenheit is used primarily in the United States.

Cold water refers to water that is lower than room temperature. The average room temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit), so water below this range is considered cold. In Celsius, cold water is defined as 0 to 15 degrees Celsius, while Fahrenheit is between 32 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. This article explores the benefits and potential drawbacks of consuming cold water.

Benefits of Drinking Cold Water:

1. Enhances Metabolic Rate:

Drinking cold water can boost your metabolic rate, aiding in burning more calories. The human body burns calories when maintaining our core temperature; therefore, when we drink cold water, the body expends energy to warm the cold water to the core temperature, thereby burning calories.

2. Improves Digestion:

Cold water after a meal can aid digestion. It can contract stomach muscles, speeding digestion and facilitating nutrient absorption.

3. Reduces Inflammation:

Cold water can help reduce inflammation. Post-exercise, drinking cold water may soothe sore muscles and mitigate inflammation.

4. Aids Hydration:

Many people find cold water more satisfying, which may encourage higher water intake and better daily hydration.

Effects of Drinking Cold Water:

1. May Disrupt Digestion:

While cold water can be beneficial after a meal, consuming it during meals may interfere with digestion by solidifying fats, making them harder to digest.

2. Can Cause Headaches: 

Drinking cold water rapidly can trigger headaches or migraines as the cold temperature may constrict blood vessels in the head.

3. May Lead to Colds:

Cold water does not cause colds, but it might weaken the immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections.

4. Can Aggravate Gallstones:

Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder.

For those with gallstones, cold water may cause gallbladder contractions, potentially intensifying symptoms.

In conclusion, while drinking cold water offers several benefits, it’s essential to be mindful of how and when you consume it. Opt for room temperature or warm water during meals to aid digestion, and enjoy cold water as a refreshing option throughout the day.

Amrah Musa Kamaruddeen wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

Potable water scarcity has been one of the major problems facing residents of the Kanuda metropolis for a long time. Stories of potable water scarcity in places like Rigasa, Kawo, Barnawa, Tudun Wada, Kabala West, Unguwar Kanawa, Unguwar Rimi, and others have, in the past years, remained a recurring issue with most of the past administrations failing to arrest the situation till date.

Although the past administrations failed at finding a lasting solution to the water scarcity, nearly all of them committed a large chunk of money to the rehabilitation of water facilities in the state. 

As of now, an investigation by The Daily Reality reveals that water scarcity across the metropolis becomes worst during the dry season when the majority of those that could not afford sachet water, borehole water resolve into patronising a series of questionable water sources available to them. 

It has been discovered that most of the administrations put up measures at making the corporation effective and efficient, the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KSWC). Still, the efforts were not all needed to tackle the chains of problems facing the corporation.

Most of the residents that spoke to The Daily Reality (TDR) in the affected areas expressed displeasure. However, they are pleading with the administration of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i to pay attention to the issue before the expiration of its term.