Residents of Kwara State, particularly those in the Tanke Bubu community in the city of Ilorin, have turned to purchasing and using bags of sachet water for bathing and cooking as the dry season continues.

Those who cannot afford the item now trek long distances in search of drinkable water.

This is consequent to an increasingly severe water shortage that threatens daily chores and the overall well-being of residents.

According to residents, many surface wells have dried up while there are no functional borehole systems in the area.

“We are forced to trek long distances in search of water,” a resident, Shukurah Ibirogba, said, adding, “We often wake up as early as 3:30 a.m. to beat the rush at the few available sources.”

Another source in the locality, Olabisi Boluwatife, a student of the University of Ilorin, recalls, “I was left with no option but to cook with pure water last Sunday because I couldn’t find water clean enough for cooking.”

According to her, coping with the water scarcity has been physically and mentally draining, especially as a student trying to manage academics and basic survival.

According to Boluwatife, “I’ve never lived in an area like this where there’s no pipeborne or borehole water now, coupled with the wells drying up pretty fast. It’s really frustrating.”

Other students lament that they most times attend class without bathing or go a whole day without cooking.

Another Unilorin student from Oyo State in the community complained that she was forced to take water from various sources.

“It sometimes affects my skin and causes general health issues,” she added.

Another resident and shop owner, Mrs. Omolayo Oke, explained how the situation affected small business owners and families.

She said many households now rely on water vendors for survival.

Residents have continued to prevail on the authorities for intervention as there is no visible solution for water scarcity in sight.