The paper examined the effect of rainfall variability on water supply in
Ikeduru L.G.A., Imo State. Data collected were analyzed using regression
analysis and analysis of variance. The result of the analysis led to the
rejection of the first and second null hypotheses and the acceptance of the
alternatives, which are that there is a strong relationship between rural
water supply in the study area and the rainfall; and that there is a significant
difference in the sourcing of water supply among communities. At the onset
of the rainy season, most of the water sources in Ikeduru L.G.A. are not
reliable. Rainfall change points were detected to be 1991 and 1997.
Reduction in rainfall amount as revealed by trends and variability patterns,
adversely affects rural water supply and in turn puts rural dwellers in jeopardy. The indicated linkage/strong relationship implies that the aquifer;
the source of borehole water in the area and source of the various rivers
(Mbaa, Oramiriukwa, Okatankwo) found in Ikeduru L.G.A. mainly depends
on rainfall for recharge. The study made several recommendations, one of
them being that concerted efforts by the people, civil societies, government as
well as N.G.Os are needed for the amelioration of the adverse effects of
climate change and rainfall variability on water supply through the massive
development of groundwater sources.