Water Usage Patterns and Water Saving Devices in Households: A Case of Eastleigh, Nairobi

Muhammad Ali,Victor Nyakundi,James Shikuku,Geryyshom Munala,Andrew Gremley,Teckla Muhoro

doi:10.4236/jwarp.2020.124018

Abstract

Water conservation measures are rapidly becoming a necessity in urban environments all over Africa and the world. There is little innovation and available information for homeowners, building professionals and practitioners to guide towards water conservation. Water scarcity has progressively increased over periods of time in Eastleigh due to increased population density from increased high-rise apartments. The study tries to establish how water usage patterns and water conservation devices can potentially reduce water consumption levels. In the study area, 96% of the families are faced with problems related to water supply and hence are forced to come up with water conservation and adaptation strategies due to the scarcity of water. The study used survey and descriptive research design, and collected data on water usage patterns and water conservation devices from a total of 230 households in Biafra and Sewage estates in the Eastleigh neighbourhood. The results indicated that 76% of the households did not have water saving devices while the other 24% had water saving devices such as the dual flush toilets, low flow high-efficiency faucet aerators, low flow plumbing fixtures and automatic shut-off nozzles. A unit increase in water saving devices will lead to a 0.512 decrease in water consumption level. The study recommends that low-income households use water saving devices and develop water management strategies such as water-saving plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and grey water reuse.

Highlights

Developing efficient strategies to reduce water consumption is linked to the characterization of water end-uses
The knowledge of water usage patterns in terms of the end uses in dwellings is key for water planning
The study found out that water saving devices such as aerators, dual flush toilets may be effective in encouraging water-conservation behaviour, with 64% of the participants unconcerned with water saving devices and techniques ending up consuming more water

Summary

Introduction

Developing efficient strategies to reduce water consumption is linked to the characterization of water end-uses. From this knowledge it is possible to evaluate the main devices responsible for water [1]. The increase in urban water users as reported by [2] and the per capita growth in water consumption of urban residents [3] all lead to substantial increases in water demand. In 2012, 40% of the world’s population suffered water shortage problems, and most cities in the world were seeking a more efficient management of water resources to relieve water scarcity issues [4]. Demand for potable water is rising because of factors such as the increase in population, improvements in living standards, and increased protection of surrounding ecosystems [5]. Toilets are the biggest water-guzzling appliances in homes (13 - 16 liters per flush)

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Results

Conclusion