Water Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Water is one of the natural resources and essentials of life. It occurs abundantly on Earth, covering about
70.9% of the surface, and also in other planets and galaxies. Existing naturally in three different forms
(solid, liquid and gaseous), water has been employed extensively in domestic activities as well as in
industrial, commercial, agricultural, transportation and tourism sectors of various countries. Water is also a
habitat, habouring a huge variety of plant and animal populations and also contains a lot of mineral
reserves. These resources offer a lot of advantages to countries habouring them and hold the key to future
sustainability of life on Earth. However, water has suffered tremendous abuse by man and other agents.
Pollution of water through the introduction of organic and inorganic substances and biological agents has
affected its physical and physic-chemical properties and rendered it unfit for drinking, harmful to aquatic
life and a source of water-borne diseases. The need to control this ugly situation and protect this all
important natural resource for sustainable development prompted this research. The work covers the
occurrence of water, its properties, pollution and its effects, uses and management of aquatic environment.
It is the belief that proper knowledge and understanding of the importance of water and the danger
inherent in its mismanagement should make peop0le protect and conserve it for sustainable development
of Nigeria in particular and the world in general.