Assessing Challenges of Potable Water Supply, Demand and Enhancing Sustainability

Abstract

This paper presents the challenges of water supply demand and enhancing water sustainability in rural areas. Data collected from field observation, regional water offices and officials, questionnaires and community responses were conducted. Data from the selected districts of the study area was discussed and analyzed. Two hundred seventeen water supply points (one hundred thirty hand-dug wells, thirty-five rope pumps, forty-eight spring development, and five shallow wells) are constructed in the study area. Among these water points, one hundred ninety-four were functional during the study time, and twenty-three were non-functional. Developed spring and rope pumps account for 22.11% and 16.12% of the total, respectively. In contrast, the hand-dug well and shallow wells as a source of water account for 59.9 % and 2.3%, respectively. The communities in the study area also use rivers and unprotected springs as water sources. This study found that the water supply in the study area is far less adequate for multiple reasons. The rural water supply system fails due to inappropriate design and underestimating population growth while designing water supply by considering only the existing population. The social and economic importance of providing a potable water supply is widely recognized. The study elicited why water supply systems have become inadequate in the area. This study may be helpful to have sufficient information before launching significant investments in rural water supply works.