Analysis of water supply unreliability and saving behaviour in Harare Zimbabwe: quantitative comparison of high- and low-density residential areas

Abstract

This study employs data from Harare, Zimbabwe, to assess the extent that unreliable domestic water supply challenges differentially affects households in high-density residential areas. Data are relative to those in low-density areas, based on the following household level measures: Water supply status, water related habits, water conservation consciousness, coping with water supply unreliability and managing future water supply unreliability. Harare was purposely selected because of its documented water supply unreliability challenges, causing suffering households. The study sampled 67 randomly selected households from high-density residential areas and 80 households from low-density residential areas, comprising 147 households. Structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were employed. Results concerning water supply status, indicate that when households access water from primary municipal sources, unreliable supply challenges do not indicate differential impacts. When constrained to obtain households from secondary sources, those in high-density areas are inclined to use community boreholes (χ2 = 93.25, p = 0.000) or to purchase water from bulk sellers (χ2 = 20.60, p = 0.000). Households in low-density areas are inclined to obtain water from private boreholes (χ2 = 13.99, p = 0.000) or private wells (χ2 = 12.67, p = 0.000). Households from high-density areas are also inclined to endure inadequate water supply pressure (χ2 = 15.6249, p = 0.000), unpredictable water supply intermittency (χ2 =4.1687, p = 0.041) and water quality they perceive (χ2 = 3.2165, p = 0.073) and observe (χ2 = 6.2953, p = 0.012) appears inadequate. The results regarding water related habits, indicate that unreliable supply challenges have differential impacts on low-density households compared with high-density households. Households in low-density areas are inclined to install showers for personal hygiene (χ2 =46.1558, p = 0.000). Households in high-density areas are inclined to waive water intensive practices, such as frequent floor mopping (χ2 =21.3260, p = 0.000) and rinsing of dishes (χ2 =4.2397, p = 0.039), at the cost of their personal and household hygiene. The results concerning water conservation consciousness, indicate that unreliable supply challenges have certain differential impacts on low-density households and high-density households. Households in low-density areas are inclined to install water conservation devices (χ2 =21.0262, p = 0.000), water flow regulation devices (χ2 =27.3979, p = 0.000) and accept legislation to encourage water conservation by limiting the quantity of water use supplied by the municipality (χ2 =9.6560, p = 0.002). The results concerning coping with water supply unreliability, indicate that unreliable supply challenges have certain differential impacts on low-density households and high-density households. Households in low-density areas are inclined to use enhancement strategies to cope with inadequate water pressure (χ2 = 106.0411, p = 0.000), inadequate water intermittency (χ2 =25.3845, p = 0.000) and inadequate water quality (χ2 = 72.1068, p = 0.000) from their primary water supply sources. Households in high-density areas are inclined to use accommodation strategies to cope with inadequate water pressure (χ2 = 106.0411, p = 0.000), inadequate water intermittency (χ2 =25.3845, p = 0.000) and inadequate water quality (χ2 = 72.1068, p = 0.000) from their primary water supply sources. Finally, concerning managing future water supply unreliability, households in low-density areas are inclined to accept an exemption from water interruption at the cost of paying higher water bills (χ2 = 18.5001, p = 0.000). The study concludes that unreliable water supply results in suffering, disproportionately high on households in high-density areas as they bear the significant share of the cost. The study recommends that the Harare Municipality should consider improving the reliability of the water supply to the Harare residents. During water interruption periods, they should consider residents located in high-density areas in addition, as they suffer the most from residents located in low-density areas. The policy-makers should also consider developing policies to address the welfare loss caused by the unreliable water supply challenge in the city of Harare.