Abstract

The unsustainable practices in Ebenato Town, Nnewi South Local Government Area, have created a devastating environmental challenge. The study was aimed at investigating the major reasons for the escalation of the gully site using approaches such as geographic information system (GIS), field mapping, and laboratory analysis. Field studies showed that the area is underlain by a porous sandstone ridge, making it susceptible to gully erosion processes. Two factors such as natural and anthropogenic factors played major role in the widening of the gully. The natural factors includes climate, vegetation, topography, and geology. However, key anthropogenic factor can be attributed to the dumping of municipal solid wastes (MSW). These wastes impact the various water resources negatively especially the river which contain some heavy metals following the water quality analysis. The other sources such as spring and borehole requires proper treatment due to the presence of coliform bacteria and E.coli. Indiscriminate disposal of wastes in the gully should be discouraged to ensure that the water body is free from contaminants and fit for consumption. Furthermore, we recommend that ridges for cultivation can be made across slope, establishment of legislation and fines to checkmate the rate of compliance will increase sustainable practices.

Keywords

Geographic Information System, Sustainability, Gully Erosion, Municipal Solid Waste, and Water Quality