Participatory mapping of water collection by Sexaxa community in Okavango, Botswana

Abstract

Access to potable water by rural communities in Africa is a challenge. Water supply deficit or scarcity has been persistent, and the situation continues to deteriorate. The deficit has negatively impacted rural livelihoods, especially those that are dependent on water resources. Botswana is equally affected. Despite Sexaxa village proximity to an annually flowing Thamalakane river and the tourism capital, Maun, the residents have endured prolonged water deficit while others do not have access to potable water. The water shortage has forced residents to use untreated water in the river, walking long distances to the source to fetch water for domestic use. This study examines the opportunity cost and time lost by travelling long distances to off-premises water sources by Sexaxa residents in Botswana. The study sourced data from 120 residents using questionnaires and participatory mapping simultaneously. The map indicated that the public standpipes are approximately 0.6 km from the farthest household while the river is 0.5 km from the village. Collection of water in Sexaxa takes 18.75% of the daily activities time, with women largely implicated at 20%. On average, residents spend approximately BWP250 per month in energy to treat water, specifically through boiling. Housing construction costs associated with water use increases by almost 30% for the residents, with the bulk of the costs associated with the transportation costs. The study recommends drilling a borehole to supply the village to relieve residents’ time and financial resources to other beneficial activities.