Nigeria faces significant water quality challenges, including inadequate access to clean drinking water, pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, and poor sanitation infrastructure. Samuel Babatunde, an environmental scientist and researcher at Western Illinois University, USA, highlights the importance of addressing these issues through sustainable practices and restoration of wetlands and streams. Babatunde emphasizes the need for modern water treatment facilities, strict regulations on industrial waste disposal, and public awareness campaigns to promote water conservation and hygiene.
He also stressed the importance of sustainable agricultural practices to minimize nutrient runoff and protect water resources. This can be achieved through precision fertilizer application, cover cropping, and creating vegetated buffer strips along waterways. Babatunde also notes that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination is a growing concern in Nigeria, and monitoring and regulating PFAS levels is crucial to protect public health and water resources. PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the bodies of humans and wildlife, leading to various health problems.
Approaches to minimize environmental impact of fish farming.
Through his experience in designing and restoring wetlands and streams in the United States, Babatunde suggests that similar approaches can be applied in Nigeria to improve water quality and biodiversity. This includes community-based restoration projects, promoting native vegetation, and integrating wetland and stream restoration into urban planning and development. Wetlands and streams play a vital role in maintaining water quality, regulating water flow, and providing habitat for diverse plant and animal species. For the aquaculture industry, Babatunde recommends sustainable practices such as integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems, locally sourced plant-based feeds, water recirculation systems, and promoting native fish species.
These approaches can help minimize the environmental impact of fish farming while ensuring the long-term productivity and profitability of the industry. Also, Babatunde stresses the importance of nutrient assessment and reduction plans to combat nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban sources. This involves conducting comprehensive water quality monitoring programs to identify nutrient hotspots and sources, setting nutrient reduction targets, and implementing best management practices (BMPs) to control nutrient loads. BMPs may include precision fertilizer application, cover cropping, and creating vegetated buffer strips along waterways.
Access to clean water is a right and the responsibility of policymakers.
Additionally, Babatunde suggests that policymakers and the general public in Nigeria must prioritize investments in water infrastructure, enforce strict environmental regulations, and promote sustainable water management practices across all sectors. Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, and it is the responsibility of both policymakers and citizens to ensure that this right is upheld. To achieve this, Babatunde recommends a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of water resources, ecosystems, and human activities. This includes engaging stakeholders, including farmers, industries, and local communities, in the implementation of sustainable practices and restoration projects.
Moreover, Babatunde’s research on PFAS contamination highlights the need for monitoring and regulating these substances in Nigeria. This requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and industries to identify sources of PFAS contamination and implement effective strategies for reducing their impact on the environment and human health. Then, the importance of sustainable agricultural practices cannot be overstated. By adopting precision fertilizer application, cover cropping, and creating vegetated buffer strips along waterways, farmers can minimize nutrient runoff and protect water resources. This not only ensures the long-term health and productivity of our water resources but also supports the livelihoods of farmers and local communities.
Related Article: Clean water and sanitation access in Nigeria
To sum up, restoring wetlands and streams is an important step towards improving water quality in Nigeria. This requires a collective effort from policymakers, industries, and citizens, and it is essential that we work together to protect our water resources for future generations. In the context of aquaculture, Babatunde’s recommendations for sustainable practices are crucial for minimizing the environmental impact of fish farming while ensuring the long-term productivity and profitability of the industry. Fish farmers can reduce their reliance on external inputs and reduce pollution by adopting integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems, locally sourced plant-based feeds, water recirculation systems, and promoting native fish species.
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