GROUND WATER EXPLORATION USING ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD IN BUNKURE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA KANO STATE NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Groundwater exploration plays a vital role in ensuring a sustainable water supply, especially in areas where surface water sources are limited or unreliable. This project investigates the subsurface geology and groundwater potential of Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria, using the Electrical Resistivity Method (ERM) — a geophysical technique widely employed for groundwater prospecting. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) was conducted at selected sites across the study area using the Schlumberger electrode configuration. The acquired field data were processed and interpreted through partial curve matching and computer-assisted modeling to o`btain geoelectric parameters such as layer resistivities and thicknesses. The resulting geoelectric sections revealed three to five subsurface layers, typically comprising topsoil, weathered/fractured basement, and fresh basement rock. Zones characterized by low to moderate resistivity values were identified as potential aquifer units, indicating the presence of groundwater within weathered and fractured layers. The findings suggest that ERM is a reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective technique for delineating aquifer zones and guiding borehole drilling in the study area. The results also provide useful baseline information for groundwater resource development and sustainable management in Bunkure Local Government Area.