Hydrogeological Appraisal of parts of Jemaa Local Government Area, North-Central Kaduna State, Nigeria

The ground water potential quantity and quality of parts of Jema’a Local Government Area in the Basement Complex of southern part of Kaduna State have been investigated using surface geophysical, hydro- geological and hydro-chemical analysis. The results of the surface geophysical survey, using the resistivity techniques, Horizontal Electrical Profiling (HEP) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) proved effective in locating and assessing the thickness of regolith aquifers. The HEP was used as a reconnaissance survey to select points for VES. Interpretation of the sounding curves obtained from the study area, suggests that the subsurface layering ranges from 3-4 layers. The estimation of aquifer potential from geo-electric sounding was carried out and the result was compared with a simple scheme presented for ranking of VES. The geometric mean of the weighing ranged from 2.5-10.5 with a modal class being 5.6-6.5. The results of the borehole yield using the above parameter showed a good correlation with actual drilling and pumping test data and a good degree of relationship with the geophysical appraisal. The result of the water quality analysis also shows that the water quality in the study area falls within the permissible limit of the World Health Organisation standard for drinking water. The tri-linear diagram revealed that the groundwater in the study area is more with the earth alkaline water with higher alkaline proportion predominantly rich in HCO3'.