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ABSTRACT This research looked into the indigenous water harvesting method, quality characteristics and their scarcity coping strategies in Ekpoma community of Edo state. Questionnaires were administered in other to obtain data on the various indigenous waterharvesting methods, their area of utilization and their coping strategies. In addition, one-on-one discussions and interviews about the water problems with the indigenes were carried out. The study conducted a laboratory analysis of the various harvested water according to methods and compared with the WHO drinking water standard. The study revealed that the water harvesting methods practiced in the community is the floodwater harvesting and the rainwater harvesting. They harvest floodwater by using buckets and cans to collect floodwater. The study revealed that rainwater harvesting is a common practice among households in the community, with their rooftop as a catchment area. Their harvested rainwater is stored in a reservoir, tanks, drums and buckets for their various uses. The study revealed that their harvested water is not up to the WHO standard for portable water, and harvested water have health implications on the consumers who do not treat theirs before consumption. The study also revealed that as a coping strategy; the people reuse grey water and freshwater conservation to cope with the looming water scarcity in the community. This study concluded with the recommendation that Government should take responsibility in improving the water-harvesting system in communities that lack water, because the quality and maintenance of the harvesting system and indigenous water harvesting practices have the potentials to improve water availability for domestic, agricultural, and industrial utilization in Ekpoma community of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo state.
