Engineering strategies towards the cataclysmic impacts of Urbanisation on water resources sustainability

Obi Lawrence E *

Dept. of Civil Engineering, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
 
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2022, 05(01), 015–024.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2022.5.1.0002
Publication history: 
Received on 20 December 2021; revised on 26 January 2022; accepted on 28 January 2022
 
Abstract: 
This research deemed it necessary to investigate the cataclysmic effects of urbanization on water resources because of the indispensability of this natural resource to the existence of human life. Urbanisation geared up activities which created challenges such as population explosion, high rate of crime, increased temperature, global warming, scarcity of water supply, flooding, erosion, energy supply crisis, steam/river extinction and increased waste generation. Water resources are adversely affected in many forms and dimensions and this work was able to evolve engineering strategies which when applied can improve the water resources and enhance its sustainability capacity. The research opined that the construction of incinerators, landfills and waste stabilization ponds, drainage channel development and adjustment, effective water management, small hydropower stations, structural delineation of green belt and ripararian zones and construction of retention ponds will go a long way to place the water resources in the urban cities on a sustainable path. These measures and approaches have the capacity to curb and /or bring the cataclysmic effects of urbanization on water resources to the barest minimum.
 
Keywords: 
Urbanization; Water resources; Sustainability; Green belt; Drainages
 
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