Domestic water use and conservation practices among the households of Kansenshi and Ndeke residential areas of Ndola city in Zambia
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Date
2020
Authors
Namuwelu, Vwambanji
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
As cities continue to grow so does demand for water increase among the various users.
Understanding domestic water use practices can help to develop water conservation
strategies, thereby contributing to efficient management of the water resource. The
aim of this study was to examine the domestic water use practices of the households
of Kansenshi and Ndeke residential areas of Ndola City in Zambia. A Cross Sectional
non-experimental descriptive research design was used. Both qualitative and
quantitative approaches were employed. Qualitative data was collected from the
purposively selected key informant from Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company,
Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and National Water Supply and
Sanitation Council (NWASCO) using a semi-structured interview schedule.
Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was administered
to the households. Field observations were also employed. For Ndeke the sampling
frame was 105 while the sample size was 82. For Kansenshi the sampling frame was
62 and the sample size was 56. Systematic random sampling was used to select the
households and quota sampling was used for determination of the study sites. Two
sample Z- proportions test, Two- Independent Sample T-Test and Single Variable
Analysis was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed by
Content Analysis. Results revealed statistically significant differences in the
proportion of respondents practising the following methods; bath tub use (p=0.004)
and bucket use (p=0.007) for body wash, cup use (p=0.0001) and tap use (0.0001) for
teeth brushing, sprinkler (p= 0.042) and hosepipe (p= 0.022) use for garden watering
and basin (p=0.002) and tap (p=0.002) use for dish washing. There was no statistically
significant difference (p=0.989) in the proportion of respondents who accessed water
from Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company in the two areas. However the level of
community awareness on water conservation was higher in Kansenshi than in Ndeke
(p=0.002). Two Independent Sample T- Tests indicated that average combined income
was higher in Kansenshi than in Ndeke (p= 0.0001) and that monthly payments for
water were higher in Kansenshi (p=0.001). Domestic water use practices promoted
water conservation as most respondents turned off the taps when not in use and advised
members of their households to close the taps when not in use. There were several
drivers behind domestic water use practices, these ranged from common practice that
became sought of a tradition, comfort and enjoyment, saving measures in terms of
water and bills, household fixtures, preferences in terms of which practice was easiest,
fast, convenient, efficient and effective, hygiene benefits and weather conditions. This
study proposes that as demand for water in cities increase, water resources
management strategies can focus on improving adoption of household water
conservation practices by residents. Understanding the prevailing water use practices
and the drivers behind these practices can aid in developing appropriate domestic
water conservation strategies and improve water efficiency. Water conservation
measures during dish washing, brushing of teeth, garden watering and bathing must
be intensified in high cost areas and focus must also be made on educating
communities on the environmental benefits of water conservation.
KEYWORDS: Water conservation, water source and water availability.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Water conservation--Zambia , Water use--Zambia