Sustainable access to safe and reliable water supply remains one of the most critical developmental challenges confronting rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the management and sustainability of rural water supply systems in Katsina State, northwestern Nigeria, a region characterised by semi-arid climate, high population density, and chronic water scarcity. Employing a mixed-methods research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 200 respondents across six selected rural communities three local government areas (LGAs) of the state, complemented by in-depth interviews with 25 key informants comprising water management officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives. Findings reveal that only 29% of rural households in the study area have access to pipe-borne water, while 56% depend on boreholes and hand pumps, many of which are non-functional due to inadequate maintenance, poor funding, and institutional failures. Critical sustainability challenges identified include limited community participation in water governance, absence of a vibrant maintenance culture, seasonal water scarcity, and inadequate capacity of implementing agencies. The study recommends the institutionalisation of community-based water management (CBWM) frameworks, decentralisation of water governance, sustained financial investment, and robust inter-agency collaboration as pathways toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) targets in the state.

Keywords: Rural water supply, water sustainability, Katsina State, community-based water management, Nigeria, SDG 6, water governance.