ASSESSMENT OF THE APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABLE WATER HARVESTING STRATEGIES IN SELECTED HOSTELS OF A NIGERIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Access to water remains a problem for many student hostels in Nigerian universities, where the available groundwater is often insufficient to meet the needs of a growing student population. This study evaluates the use of rainwater harvesting elements in three male hostels at Bingham University, Karu, as a reasonable alternative source of water supply. It examines the status of the existing rainwater harvesting infrastructure within the hostels, estimates the harvesting potential of the roof catchments, and considers the technical constraints on effective integration. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative data from 81 male students across the three hostels with photographic evidence of the extent to which the harvesting elements identified from the literature are present on site. The work proceeded by identifying the water harvesting strategies present in the hostels, their current level of application, the barriers that inhibit their use, and the critical success factors that enhance it. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The results showed that 19 water harvesting elements were represented across the three hostels, with gravity feed and pumps (electric or manual) recording the highest application levels (means of 3.87 and 3.60 respectively). Lack of awareness and knowledge, and higher upfront costs for tanks and plumbing, were the leading barriers to integration (means of 3.09 and 3.06). Regarding success factors, clear, easy-to-follow maintenance schedules and sustainable building codes ranked highest (means of 3.68 and 3.55). The study highlights the key focus areas for water harvesting in male student hostels and recommends directions for embedding the strategy in future building-design solutions.