As the harmattan winds fade and the heat rises with each passing year, water scarcity becomes one of the biggest challenges in many parts of Nigeria. Wells dry up, streams shrink, and taps stop running. My name is Emeka. I’ve experienced this struggle firsthand almost all my life, carrying water containers before dawn, standing in long queues at public taps, and learning creative ways to judiciously use every drop. Here, I will share with you how my people and I cope with the water scarcity during the dry seasons in Nigeria.
Surviving water scarcity during the dry season works best with planning, discipline, and a bit of patience while waiting for the heavens to open up once again.
Understanding the Dry Seasons Water Scarcity in Nigeria
Scarcity of water during the dry season is not a new experience across Nigeria, particularly in the rural and semi-urban areas where water supply infrastructures are not readily available. The rainy season comes with relief, but as soon as it is gone, the rivers and the few serving boreholes often struggle to meet the daily demand of the local people. Add that to population growth, poor water management, and unstable public supply, and things become even more difficult.
If you consider places like the North, where the dry season lasts a while longer than the Southern parts of the country, water shortages can go on for extra months. You end up seeing people travel long distances to get some water for their daily needs, and in some cases, the only alternative sources are unhygienic, dirty ponds and rivers. Even in large and popular cities like Abuja or Lagos, taps also run dry for weeks sometimes.
These experiences have taught me and most of the people who grew up in these conditions that water scarcity goes beyond just an environmental issue; it transcends health, hygiene, food, and even productivity, among others. So that was how I began putting in efforts to manage my water better for both me and my household.
How I Prepare Ahead Before the Dry Season Arrives
For most of us, the best way to survive the situation with water scarcity is to begin preparing as early as possible. While the rainy season is still in its glory, I make sure to store as much clean rainwater as our containers can keep. I buy and use huge containers, tanks, and sometimes plastic or metal drums – anything that can collect and keep aqua is welcome. Adequate storage, while not completely alleviating the challenge, aids in reducing the stress to a bearable level when the dry period arrives.
If you can, work to increase your water storage infrastructure. It doesn’t have to cost you much. Even a few cbasins with good lids can knock off a day or two for your household when taps start running dry.
Below is a simple plan that works fine for me that you can try:
| Step | What I Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Collect rainwater during wet months | Store in drums or tanks | Provides backup supply |
| Clean storage containers regularly | Remove dirt or algae | Keeps water safe |
| Check boreholes and repair pumps early | Prevents breakdown during dry season | Ensures steady access |
| Buy water filters | Treat stored water | Reduces risk of waterborne diseases |
Whenever I do these necessary things before the rainy season goes, I save myself some time and avoid the anxiety that usually comes as a result of everyone rushing for clean water.
My Daily Water management and Smart Usage
During the dry season, water turns to liquid gold. Every drop is important and valuable; it is no time to indulge in any activity that leads to wastage. I’ve learnt to use less while still getting things done. For example, I reuse water as much as is practically possible. The used water from washing vegetables in the kitchen can go to watering the plants. Laundry water can flush the toilets, and do you know that the water that drops from the air conditioners can also be put to good use in the toilets?
Simple adaptations like these can make a big impact in the long run. I make sure to close taps tightly after use, take shorter baths, and do the dishes in a bowl instead of under running water in the kitchen sink. Little tweaks like these add up ultimately.
Here are some tips that help me frugally manage our daily water use:
- Store water in clean containers before bedtime.
- Bathe with a bucket instead of a shower.
- Fix leaks immediately.
- Avoid washing cars or watering lawns often.
- Reuse greywater for cleaning or gardening.
When you apply these steps, your water lasts longer, and you reduce wastage. It has a lot to do with being intentional with what you have and how you use it.
Locating Reliable Water Sources Nearby
Normally, during the worst parts of the dry season, water wells and boreholes may run out of clean water. When this happens, I explore other alternatives. In my community, some people fall back on water vendors who sell from trucks. Others depend on streams or public taps managed by local authorities as much as they can.
Before using water from such sources, I always make sure to check its quality. If it looks cloudy or smells odd, I boil and filter it first. Clean water isn’t just about convenience and chores—it’s about health as well.
If you live in an area with an unreliable water supply, working together with others can go a long way. People can contribute money to repair a broken borehole or dig a new well for fresh water. Cooperation often works better than sitting and waiting for government intervention, which mostly never comes.
Practice Good Hygiene In Spite Limited Water Supply
The scarcity of water doesn’t mean you have to forget about your personal and environmental hygiene. You just need to incorporate a smarter way of life. I always ensure that I focus on washing my hands properly at critical times—before eating, after using the toilet, and after touching shared items. Some things are just non-negotiable. Buying and using hand sanitisers when water is scarce helps as well.
Another thing I do is to wash clothes in batches rather than daily. That way, I cut down the number of rinse cycles and save water for other chores. During cleaning, I use a mop with minimal water or wipe surfaces with a damp cloth instead of pouring scarce water on the floor like it’s plenty.
My Water Storage and Treatment Guide
First of all, water storage only applies when it’s clean and safe. I tightly cover all my containers to prevent contamination from dust or insects. I also wash the inside of my tanks and containers from time to time.
When I’m not convinced of water quality, I treat it before consumption. Boiling your drinking water is effective, but I also use chlorine tablets or simple home filters sometimes. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Below is a quick comparison of common water treatment tips I use:
| Method | Description | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling | Heat water for at least 5 minutes | Very high |
| Chlorine tablets | Add as directed and wait 30 minutes | High |
| Filtration | Use ceramic or carbon filters | Moderate to high |
| Sedimentation | Let water settle before use | Low (for clarity only) |
Each option has its benefits. The key there is consistency—never assume water is safe just because it looks clean to the naked eye.
Partaking in Local Community Efforts
Water scarcity is not a challenge that one person can solve as in does not concern one person alone. In my area, we’ve had meetings in the past to discuss how to share and mange water fairly. Some communities have formed management groups to maintain public boreholes or manage small water projects.
Joining hands together to tackle this challenge encourages fairness and reduces potential conflict. When everyone is involved, it’s easier to fix pumps, organize clean-up days, and make sure that children and the elderly have access to clean water.
Adapting Your Lifestyle and Diet
During the dry season, especially in the harmattan, I notice that my skin needs more hydration and protection from the atmosphere. The sun is bright and harsh, and sweat takes away moisture quickly. I make sure to drink water more frequently, even when I don’t particularly feel thirsty. I also eat fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as cucumbers, oranges, watermelons, and pineapples.
My cooking habits also see some adjustments. I intentionally prepare meals that need less water, such as boiled yam or rice, instead of dishes that require multiple rinses or long cooking periods. Every tiny adjustment helps stretch span of the available supply.
Coping Emotionally and Physically with the Stress
Water scarcity can take a significant toll on the mind and body. The long queues, the waiting, the constant anxiety—it can wear you out sometimes. I try to be calm and remind myself that the season will pass as expected. Talking with neighbors while waiting at the ques sometimes makes the experience easier and take your mind off it.
I also try to keep my routine as light as possible. I avoid unnecessary activities that consume water, and I plan laundry and cleaning around my available supply. This takes my mind away from the frustration and helps me manage my time better too.
Supporting Long-Term Solutions
Coping with these conditions is one thing, but solving water scarcity is the ultimate goal, and it needs a collective effort. The locals can push for better water management initiatives, maintenance of public infrastructure, and investment in new technologies and sysytems such as solar-powered boreholes to make life a bit easier for everyone.
For households, the habit rainwater harvesting should be encouraged the more. Communities can also promote tree planting initiatives and movements to help conserve moisture in the soil and reduce heat and evaporation. Small steps like these today can make the next dry season less severe than the last one.
My Personal Lessons Over the Years
Surviving the seasonal water scarcity during dry seasons in Nigeria has taught me three main lessons. Firstly, the importance of. preparedness cannot be overemphasized. Secondly, teamwork makes the dream work. Thirdly, water management is a shared responsibility for any community that have such experiences.
In summary, when you plan ahead, save more, and use wisely, you experience less stress in the hardest of times. When the community works together, you find solutions quicker. And when everyone values the importance of water, waste reduces automatically.
Dealing with water scarcity during the dry seasons in Nigeria can be a hard task, but it’s not impossible to navigate the season succesfully. With enough discipline, cooperation, and creativity, you can get through it with minimum stress. It has taught me to appreciate every single drop—because when those dry months hit, water is more than a human need; it’s a daily lesson in patience, resourcefulness, and wisdom.
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