Vol. 5(12), pp. 687-696, December, 2013 DOI: 10.5897/IJWREE2013.0424 ISSN 2141-6613 © 2013 Academic Journals http://www.academicjournals.org/IJWREE International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Full Length Research Paper Hydro-geoelectric study of Ijare town, southwestern Nigeria Oladapo, Michael Ilesanmi Department of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Accepted 11 November, 2013 Geoelectric study involving fifty four (54) Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) has been undertaken within Ijare, southwestern Nigeria with the aim of evolving the hydrogeologic setting of the town. Ijare is underlain by the Precambrian Crystalline Basement Complex rocks with inhabited parts of the town underlain by migmatite gneiss and fine-grained biotite granite while inselbergs of older granites suites adjoins the town on all sides. Based on the hydro-geoelectric characteristics obtained from geoelectric sections and maps, the study area is classified into low, moderate and high groundwater potential zones. Four geoelectric subsurface layers delineated from the study are the topsoil, weathered basement, fractured basement and the presumably fresh bedrock. The concealed ‘basement complex’ morphology is rugged in the town with concealed ridges underlying the central areas while the eastern and northwestern areas are underlain by irregular concealed depressions. The zones of concealed basement depressions with resultant significant overburden thickness constitute target areas for groundwater development in the town. Arising from the general classifications undertaken using the results of the geoelectric soundings, sustainable groundwater development schemes for Ijare is considered feasible on the eastern and northwestern flanks where groundwater potential rating varies from moderate to high. Key words: Geoelectric, groundwater, basement, ridge, depression, overburden, fracture. INTRODUCTION Over the years, potable water supply to Ijare community in Ondo State Nigeria through surface supply scheme has ceased due to non-functioning of the pipe-borne water system. The community at the time of study relies on water fetched from streams, ponds, shallow hand-dug wells and a few and inadequate motorized boreholes. However, the quality and wholesomeness of these water sources (perhaps with the exception of the motorized boreholes) are very much uncertain and many of the populace stands the risk of infection through water borne diseases. This is because the existing domestic water sources are vulnerable to contamination arising from disposal of refuse and faeces close to the aforementioned water sources. Groundwater pollution through human activities is considered worse than natural pollution as it renders water less suitable for use than its original state (Ishaku and Abdulhakeem, 2010; Abimbola et al., 2005). Also, seasonal variations greatly affect the quantity available from the sources significantly to the extent that they sometimes dry up. In view of this, groundwater development becomes a viable option for portable water provision all year round for the Ijare community. Thus, this study examines the hydrogeologic setting within Ijare town with a view of hydro-geophysical characterization of the town for future groundwater development scheme that may be envisioned. Delineation of areas of safe and adequate groundwater to meet the general needs of inhabitants of Ijare town in E-mail: oladapom@yahoo.co.uk