1.1 Introduction
Water distribution system is a complete system of its own with sub-systems that must be inter-linked from intake down to end users. Failure of a sub-system will adversely affect the system, as insisted by Yazdani et al (2011) that when one or more component of the system is affected, the consequences is disruption of water services just like it occurs in other infrastructural systems (Yazdani et al., 2011).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Technology advances provided by ARCGIS and the increasing availability and quality of Digital Terrain Models (DEMs) have greatly expanded the application potentials of DEMs to many Hydrologic, Water Resources and Environmental investigations (Moore et al 1991). Over the last two decades, this information has been increasingly derived directly from digital representation of topography (Afshar, Akbari, Mariño, & Asce, 2006; Gershon & Duckstein, 1983; Jenson & Domingue, 1988). Parameters like channel network location of drainage divides channel length and slope were traditionally obtained from Maps or field surveys (Garbrecht, and martz, 1992). However, route surveys in this work will involve extensive data collection and processing such as; street data, topographic map, existing distribution pipeline network plan, existing land use map, and distribution standards to determine the best or suitable location of water distribution pipeline.
Water is one of the basic necessities of life. It is very important as it is the major constituent of both plants and animals, (Chakhaiyar, 2010). Water is used for various purposes such as Domestic, Agricultural, and Industrial etc.; therefore its importance cannot be overemphasized. The recent development in technology has lessen the amount of work involved in engineering construction and projects in terms of costing of materials and suitability, hence it is important or vital that the planner makes assessment of the relevant requirements involved in any project in accordance with the specified standards. However, the determination of suitable route for water pipeline falls into the category of utility planning called Route planning/ analysis. Modern software systems e.g. ArcGIS, TNT MIPS, Arc view, suffer etc. tend to bridge the gap between discipline, specific application and GIS in a way that they are fully integrated. (Burrough 1986).
Provision of water in good quality and adequate quantity is indispensable for the survival of both plants and animals, anything short of that result to water related diseases. For decades, water supply and distribution has been a problem in most developing countries, as asserted by (Yazdani, Otoo, & Jeffrey, 2011), that lives are being endangered and economic growth restricted as a result of increasing water stress in many developing countries. Also, Kala, V. et al (2008) noted that more and more areas are expected to experience water imbalance in the near future as water demand already exceed supply in many parts of the world. Water supply cannot reach some areas due to expansion caused by increase in population and even some networked areas suffer insufficiency. Although the level of access to a piped water distribution is increasing at a global level, many of the developing world cities are served by old and poorly maintained networks with consequential problems in terms of both water quality and supply reliability, (UNDP 2006). As postulated by Kala, V. et al (2008) that “the rapid expansion of towns and cities is caused by rural-urban migration”. Giving example, between 1950 and 1990, the number of cities with population of more than 1 million increased from 78 to 290 and this is expected to exceed 600 by 2025 (Serageldin, 1995). In some cases the various wards/sections of the cities are provided with water on rotational basis because the supply of the whole city is below requirement as reported by Totsuka et al, (2004), that the use of intermittent supplies by physically cutting off for most of the day and limiting the consumers’ ability to get water is one of the common approach of controlling water demand to cope up with inadequate water resources. “At the same time, the cost of developing new sources or expanding existing ones is continuously increasing as the most accessible water resources have already been tapped” (UNESCO 2003).
The little water quantities conveyed through pipes at relatively low pressure characterized intermittent water supply and is prominent among developing countries, (Totsuka, Trifunovic, & Vairavamoorthy, 2004). Some of the settlements in most developing countries are linear settlements because provision of infrastructure does not cover areas that are far from the transportation routes. (G. C. Ufoegbune, J. A. Oyedepo, Awomeso, 2010), lamented that those settlements situated along the transportation routes are ones usually provided with water supply networks. (Vairavamoorthy, Gorantiwar & Mohan, 2007) also insisted that the increasing rate of population especially in developing countries has worsen the declining of available water resources throughout the world.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Water Distribution in an Unplanned Area Using ARCGIS.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that most suppliers lack the technical expertise to dispense their duties; the manual system of managing supply records makes the business difficult to manage. Inability to instantly determine customers to supply to that booked for the product for a particular date. Unclear specifications or careless supplier specification, lack of detailed information of the customers that need the product and their specific demand.
The purchasing and supply department of many business organizations lack clear rules and guidelines with regard to procurement and supply governance. It is in view of these problems that this research study is carried out.
It is observed that most of the efforts at rural development often failed to improve the living standard of the people significantly. The rural–urban drift of the jobless youths persists, with the disturbing urban population explosion. It is observed that poor funding constitutes a major challenge in rural development because of the already endemic poverty cycle associated with rural dwellers. Unless there is external financing of rural development projects, these projects experience problems taking off the ground.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research work is to analyze Water Distribution in an Unplanned Area Using ARCGIS. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine suitable locations for water distribution centers (Reservoirs) and service areas (Catchment Areas for distribution).
- To find the best routes for water distribution using network dataset.
- To delineate the areas covered by the existing distribution network.
- To develop a model for effective water distribution using ARCGIS.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is Water Distribution?
- To what extent can water be distributed in an Unplanned Area?
- Does ARCGIS software tools analysis Water Distribution in an Unplanned Area?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
H0: There is no optimum analysis of water distribution in an Unplanned Area Using ARCGIS
H1: There is an optimum analysis of water distribution in an Unplanned Area Using ARCGIS
1.7 Significance of Study
The relevance of research work will enable the water company to be able to determine who they have supplied to and those that are still pending. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Design and Analysis of Water Distribution in an Unplanned Area Using ARCGIS. The study is limited to Yola metropolis in Adamawa State of Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Demand: The amount of a good or service that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
Database Application: A software program for storing, retrieving and manipulating a database.
Supply: To provide, give, sell, or make available something that is wanted or needed by somebody or something.
Management: Administration of business, the organizing and controlling of the affairs of a business or a sector of a business.
