Linkages Between Changes In Climate Elements, Institutional Capacity and Community Access to Water In Iju, Lagos

Abstract

Synergies  between climate elements, institutional capacity and percieved community access to water based on the current effect of climate change appears complex since such synergy are often times informed by multiple factors such as social, economic, political and environmental. Better understanding of the complexities as it relates to the multiple natural and political drivers if well adopted could inform change in action and further reduce water stress. This paper examines the relationships between micro climatic elements, institutional (iju water works) capacity and  community perception on access to portable water in Iju. Seasonal rainfall and temperature data were collected  and analysed. Available seasonal information on water levels and abstraction activities  were determined. Structured interviews were conducted with officials of water works while questionnaires were administered to communities to ascertain community access to portable water supplied by the institution. The result shows direct correlations between rainfall pattern and the water level but not with water abstraction activities.  However the ability of the institution to abstract water was found to be  influenced by varied factors such as the state of the pumping machines , absence of power plant and obsolate equipments in the face of rising water demand due to increasing population.