Assessment Of The Potable Water Supply Challenges In Jigjiga Town, Eastern Ethiopia.

Abstract

The study was conducted Assessment of the Potable Water Supply challenges, with the objectives of assessing drinking water supply coverage and mode of service, investing water quality and also identifying major root causes and challenges of water supply in the study area. Urban water supply is one amongst the highly challenging sector in urbanization. Jigjiga town is facing a critical and serious situation regarding its deficient water supply service, which is being prolonged for many years and with no effective improvements due to climate change, population growth, water management, deteriorating infrastructure, inefficient water supply, and its rapid expansion. The research was mainly focused on water supply coverage, mode of service, water quality investigation and identifying major root causes and challenges of water supply in Jigjiga town. The data used in this study were mainly primary which were obtained from field survey questionnaire, interview, observation and personal involvement and secondary data obtained from the concerned Authorities, annual report, books and other documents. The study used systematic sample random sampling method to obtain information from number of 400 sampled households? respondents. The data collected were analyzed by both qualitative wider description by using Laboratory test and GIS software and quantitatively by using SPSS. The study revealed that water supply service could not cover the demand of the town, because of, insufficient water sources, poor distribution, frequent interruptions and unequal services of the town. As a result, the study discovered the spence gap between water supply and demand of the residents in the study town. 97% of Jigjiga town residents unanimously approved their daily fulfilment of water demand using mostly unprotected sources of water from vendors and the high cost of the water, instead of safe, protected and water supply services. Generally, the results of this study may be significant to the decision makers of the Authority to achieve effective, efficient and sustainable water supply system, it may contribute to in depth research rooting and other researchers may use as a reference to other urban areas.