Nigeria is currently facing various environmental challenges such as water scarcity and water quality; which is one of the largest environmental problems. However, the available supply of renewable water is short of the demand in Nigeria. Researchers have studied many alternative to better solve the emerging water supply problem. This study considers rainwater harvesting as an alternative source of water to ameliorate the possible scarcity. To better understand common practises in the rain water harvesting community and motivation for collecting harvested rainwater a socio-demographic survey was conducted in four communities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Ogun State Nigeria to determine the rate of water consumption and supply from current water sources. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to various household and the data collected through the survey were analysed using SPSS and selected statistical methods. Rainfall data for Ota was obtained and it was to calculate the cumulative runoff in a year was determined for roof sizes are ≤ 75m2. This study demonstrated among other things that rainwater harvesting has the potential of contributing significantly to solving the problems of water shortage suffered not only by the rural-poor communities but also in the urban areas where conventional modes of water supply have failed to provide the desired level of service.

A water supply system is designed to provide potable water to its intended consumers. The design takes into account the required quantity for the intended population. A typical water supply system includes withdrawal from source, headworks, treatment plant, storage system and distribution system. The operation and maintenance of water supply systems helps it reach its serviceability limit. The study was carried out by comparing the operation and maintenance routine in Iju water supply scheme, Ota and Arakanga water supply scheme, Abeokuta, Ogun State by obtaining records of input parameter such as daily operation routine, installed capacity of the schemes, production duration, salary cost, operation and maintenance cost, chemical cost, output parameters such as volume of water produced and sold, revenue recovered, general customer care and services records. It was observed that the better performance of Abeokuta can be traced to the residence of the government in the state capital, infiltration of elites being the state capital in comparison to Ota which has more middle- and low-income earners in spite of the presence of industries based on the revenue recovery success and government subsidy. It was therefore recommended that operation and maintenance technique used in Arakanga Abeokuta be implemented in Ota, new connections be made in newly developed areas in order to increase the effectiveness of the schemes ensuring that potable and ample supply of water is obtained in these municipal cities.