Assessment of Challenges and Potential of Urban Water Supply

Abstract

Many Ethiopian urban communities continue to suffer from a lack of safe drinking water. Sekela town has faced a potable water supply problem; however, a large number of people do not have access to an adequate amount of potable water, and frequent water interruption is a common problem. The study's goal was to assess the challenge and potential of urban water demand and supply. The following data were used to achieve this goal: primary data such as field visits and interviews, secondary data such as population density, water supply data, and water demand estimation.The demand for water in a given town was proportional to the population to be provided. The population of Sekela town was estimated to be 21,538 in 2016 by the Sekela town administration office, and this figure was used as the basis for the current estimate. According to the CSA, the annual growth rate for urban population at the regional level in 2016 was 4.14 percent. In 2030, the total predicted water demand is 1,488,461 m3/year. Water production is currently expected to be 466,560 m3/year. This means that in fourteen years, the water supply should be increased by 1021,901 m3/year. As a result, the present water supply will be supplemented, and water loss in the distribution system will be reduced.

Keywords: Urban Water supply, Community Participation, Water Demand

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-9-01

Publication date:September 30^th 2022