Abstract:
The increasing demands for water resulting from economic growth, climate change, pollution,
and concurrent population growth exert additional pressure on available resources.
Consequently, this leads to escalated costs of water treatment, which has adverse effects on the
environment. This study investigates the environmental impacts of water supply projects in Jos
metropolis, including dams, reservoirs, tanks, pipelines, and treatment plants. It examines the
effects on both government and individual water users, considering factors such as economic
growth, climate change, pollution, and population growth. The study utilizes a combination of
primary and secondary data, collecting primary data through questionnaires, interviews, and
field observations, and secondary data from the Plateau State Water Board and other sources.
Using a sample size of378 respondents determined from a population of 23,453, structured
questionnaires were administered, and the results were analyzed using frequency tables. The
findings reveal negative consequences for communities located along floodplains, as well as
adverse effects on the government, including environmental damage, the risk of dam breaches
and breakages, flooding, species loss, and increased salinity levels. It is concluded that the
Plateau State Water Board should prioritize maintenance practices to reduce the occurrence
of dam breaches and breakages, ensuring sustainable water supply and mitigating the negative
impacts of these projects. The study recommends continuous facility maintenance, adherence
to land use plans, and prevention of facility overstretching as effective measures to minimize
adverse effects. Implementing these recommendations can help mitigate the detrimental
consequences on the environment and society, promoting sustainable water management and
resource utilization.
