URBAN HOUSEHOLD FRESHWATER SUPPLY, USE AND SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE OF GONDAR CITY, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Urban household freshwater supply, use and sustainability in Gondar city will know problem. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of assessing the water use sustainability and trends, perceptions of the society and also the determinants factors of water use sustainability in the study area. The basic data employed in this study was obtained from three randomly selected kebele from 5 kebele and 373 randomly selected sample households from 12750 households. A simple random sampling procedure was employed to select the sample farm household heads. The data that was gathered using a semi structured questioner were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Focus group discussions, Field observation, document reviews and key informants interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The survey result indicated that over 77% of them replied that they have no adequate access to sustainable potable freshwater supply. Only 22.9% of the households confirm that they have the opportunity to get such water. Many households 70.7% of the respondents reported that they access the water they need pipe connections. The remaining 29.3% no pipe connections at their homes. Majority of the respondents 96.7% of the households complain that the piped freshwater does not regularly reach their standpipes, about 9.1% of the households reported that they get water once in two or three days. Other 34% and 29.3% respondents complain that they get it once in a week or once in a two week, respectively. Only few users (2.8%) replied that they get water every day from their standpipes. Many households are forced to use water collected from unsafe sources. Over 10% of the households indicated they collect it from springs. Some others (9.1%) reported that they access it from hand-dug wells. Over 13% of the residents get it from public standpipes, (3%) revealed that they collect and use rainwater. Households perceive different factors cause frequent water irregularities. Over 30% of them indicated irregularity of the water supply system occurs due to seasonal change interruptions. More than 21% respondents confirmed high rate of urbanization led to reduced water volumes reaching the standpipes. Over 27% perceived the rough micro-relief influences the amount of water reaching their standpipes. Another 8% households revealed the water reaching their standpipes vary with the change in electrical power. About 13% respondents also reported water management at home and outside home is very weak. Control intrusion, regular alter, micro-relief, rate of urbanization and administration capacity essentially influenced households’ freshwater supportability within the sub city. It is prescribed that urban governments design better urban administration plans and capacities to play down water shortages.