Integration of geospatial and geophysical data for assessing borehole conditions at the University of Ilorin, North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Even with pre-drilling geophysical surveys, the failure rates and suboptimal productivity of some boreholes within the University of Ilorin  (UNILORIN) are a cause for concern. This present study investigated the hydrogeological capability and potentiality of some borehole  sites at the university. To achieve this, an inventory of 47 boreholes with an existing lineament density map and Groundwater Potential  Zonation (GWPZ) map of Ilorin South Local Government Area were integrated. These boreholes were categorized based on the lineament  density, and groundwater potentiality. The results showed that 96% of the sampled boreholes were sited on zones of low  groundwater potential (LGWP) while 4% were on zones of moderate groundwater potential (MGWP). Also, 17% of the boreholes  coincided with zones of moderate lineament density, 83% of boreholes coincided with zones of low lineament density and no borehole was found to coincide within areas of high lineament density. The findings suggested that 83% of these boreholes (39 units) were drilled  due to exigencies (e.g., cost consideration, proximity to facilities etc.) while only 17% of these boreholes (8 units) were drilled on account  of scientific necessity or after the appropriate geoscientific evaluation was done. The findings in this study will benefit stakeholders and  practitioners in water resource management in building robust models and databases at both regional and local levels.