CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF SHORTAGE OF DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY: THE CASE OF BABILE TOWN, EASTERN HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The main issue in developing countries continues to be access to high-quality, safe water, which is still a critical indicator of a community's improved social and economic well-being. The purpose of this study is to assess the causes and consequence of shortage of water supply in Babile town. Consequently, the study employed a descriptive survey research design whereby both quantitative and qualitative method. To achieve the objective of the study a total of 242 sample respondents were selected using systematic random sampling techniques from the sample kebeles in the study area. Consequently, data were collected from both primary and secondary sources, whereby household survey questionnaire, key informants’ interview, observation and document analysis were used as data collection tools. The data collected through the questionnaire were coded, entered and analyzed with the help of SPSS-version 20. The data collected through different methods were properly analyzed using descriptive statistics and T-test model. The data collected through key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation was analyzed qualitatively using narration for triangulation. The results indicated that the majority of households in the study area are not satisfied with domestic water supply of the town. Furthermore, the result of the study showed that, the source of domestic water consumption for most of the sample respondents were water venders and hand-dag well with low quality but high cost from long distances. The domestic water supply challenges include inadequate access to pipe water, inefficient pipelines and frequent interruptions in the area due to different reasons and the absence of pipe line connection to the home. Among the major causes of the challenge; population growth, lack of material, decrease of water source, poor distribution of water infrastructure, lack of technological capacity, weak sectorial coordination, and insufficient financial resource are some of the main undermining root causes. Generally, Water consumption of the households was affected by economic level, distance from water source and time needed for water collection