Drivers of Households’Water Demand and Their Implication for Water Accessibility Along Weruweru River in Hai District, Tanzania

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.