An assessment of household water insecurity in a rapidly developing coastal metropolitan region of Indonesia

Abstract

Water security in the Cirebon Metropolitan Region (CMR) is under threat from regular flood and drought events, rapid urbanisation and climate change. This study used the Guttman’s scale approach to assess household water insecurity in the CMR. Factor and cluster analyses were then applied to confirm the results and identify issues that shaped household water insecurity in four urbanisation levels in the CMR, namely urban, urban/peri-urban transition (UPT), peri-urban, and rural. Data were obtained through surveys of 225 farm households and 205 non-farm households using face-to-face interviews. The study shows spatial variations of water insecurity concerning urbanisation and farm and non-farm households. The study indicates that dominant factors shaping household water insecurity in the CMR are (i) unacceptable levels in water risks and (ii) inadequate water sources and services to satisfy the population’s needs in relation to health, livelihood, ecosystems, and production. Flooding in the region significantly affects water insecurity of UPT farm and non-farm households, while droughts affect rural farm and non-farm households. The methodology used in this study provides an analytical framework to better understand socio-ecohydrological issues underpinning farm and non-farm household water insecurity and for developing an evidence-based water security policy in a rapidly urbanising region.