DETERMINATION OF GROUND WATER POTENTIAL IN OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC IREE, OSUN STATE.

ABSTRACT Groundwater is about 0.6% of available fresh water and needs adequate attention to manage since about 0.3% of this 0.6% is economically available. The knowledge of groundwater potential and aquifer parameters is of fundamental importance in water resources planning, development and management. Groundwater is a paramount source of domestic water source for various human activities in Nigeria due to inadequate supply of public water supply from available water supply schemes.The aim of the study "Determination of Groundwater Potential in Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Osun State" is to assess and understand the groundwater potential of the Osun State, with a focus on identifying suitable areas for sustainable groundwater extraction to meet the water demands of the population, agriculture, and industries.The scope of the study encompasses a range of hydrogeological investigations and assessments aimed at understanding the groundwater resources within the state. A detailed hydrogeological survey will be conducted to identify potential groundwater-bearing formations, aquifers, and their distribution in Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Osun Stateand creating a groundwater potential map for Osun State Polytechnic Iree, illustrating areas with high potential for groundwater availability, which can aid in decision-making for sustainable water resource development.Thematic layer sub-classes were re-classified using the natural breaks classification method in the GIS platform before being assigned weight. On a scale of 1 to 5, the sub-classes of each thematic layer rank were assigned according to their relative impact on groundwater occurrence.Results indicate that areas with very good potential for recharge are primarily situated in vegetation, bear land, valley regions and regions with low drainage density, encompassing a substantial portion, approximately 70%, when accounting for soil infiltration rates, water depth, and other thematic layers. Good groundwater recharge zones are widespread across the entire catchment area, particularly in regions characterized by low lineament density. Moderate groundwater recharge zones are prevalent in upland to lowland transitions, albeit to a lesser extent due to the dominance of flatland in the area. The groundwater recharge map derived from this investigation offers valuable insights for sustainable land use and effective groundwater management, ultimately contributing to enhanced agricultural productivity in the region.To enhance accuracy and reliability, it is recommended to conduct a thorough comparison of the water budget with groundwater modeling results. This comparative analysis will provide valuable insights into the consistency and alignment of the two approaches, contributing to more robust groundwater management strategies.