Water resources refer to any useful material (living or non-living) inside water which are of benefit to man, animals and plants. Water resources are some of the most important environmental resources of man.
Sources of water: Sources of water include oceans, rivers, lakes, rain, springs, reservoirs, wells and boreholes.
Importance of Water Resources to Man
- Sources of food supply: Fishing in oceans, lakes and rivers are known to provide food for man in form of fish, prawns, crayfish, crab, etc.
- Generation of Hydro-Electric Power (H.E.P): Many rivers are dammed in areas of waterfalls and rapids for the purpose of generating electricity e.g. Kainji and Shiroro dams.
- Agricultural purposes: Water from rivers, lakes, wells, boreholes, etc are used for irrigation purposes, especially in areas of low rainfall, to aid crop cultivation.
- Medium of transportation: Rivers e.g. Rivers Benue and Niger, lakes and oceans provide a useful medium by which people and goods are transported from one place to another.
- Domestic use: Water from lakes,rain, rivers, boreholes are used for cooking, washing, bathing and drinking.
- Industrial use: Water from rivers, lakes, boreholes is used by textile, brewery and chemical industries for production.
- Provision of employment: Oceans, lakes and rivers also provide people with jobs e.g. fishermen, canoe and ship builders.
- Recreation /Tourism: Water in lakes, oceans and rivers is used by people for sports e.g. swimming, diving for relaxation and tourism e.g. Bar Beach and Lekki Beach.
- Sources of minerals: Water from seas and oceans is a major source of domestic and industrial salts. Petroleum is also associated with the oceans.
- Source of ornaments: The oceans provide valuable ornaments like corals and beads.
Problems of Degradation of Water Resources
- Destruction of aquatic life.
- Water poisoning.
- Inadequate fresh and pure water for domestic purpose.
- Inadequate fresh and pure water for industrial use.
- Unemployment among fishermen.
- Scarcity of sea foods.
- High cost of water treatment.