Abstract:
This study assessed the drivers of households' water demand and their implication for
water accessibility along Weruweru River in Hai District. The study objectives were to
analyse the drivers for water demand among households, to examine the effects of
drivers for water demand on households' water access and to assess the challenges facing
households in accessing water. The study was carried out using a cross sectional design.
Data were collected through key informant interviews, documentary review and
household survey method. The study involved 130 respondents from Hai District. The
findings of the study revealed that factors that influence water demand among
households were marital status, education, household size, household status, education
and a number of economic activities. Through the use of binary logistic regression, these
factors were found to be statistically significant at pSO.05. Furthermore, effects of
drivers for water demand on household water accessibility were observed to be water
pollution, destruction of water catchment areas, water conflict, drought, water pollution
and increase consumption and were found to be statistically significant at pSO.05. The
study findings also showed that the most challenges facing households in accessing
water were inequitable distribution of water source, lack of shared knowledge about
water balance, limited financial capacity, climate change and poor storage and
infrastructure. It is concluded the factors that were observed to be statistically significant
are good predictors of water demand and water accessibility. The study recommends
developing a comprehensive framework for promoting the optimal, sustainable and
equitable development and use of water resources for the benefit of all households, based
on clear set of guiding principles.
