Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology

Abstract

Aims: To assess the water supply accessibility and its implications on household income in Kabuku Ndani ward, Handeni district, Tanga Region.

Place and Duration of Study: A cross sectional design was conducted between November 2013 and January 2014 in Kabuku.

Methodology: Questionnaire related to water supply and household income was administered to 90 respondents who were randomly selected. Interviews with five key informants’ explored issues related to water supply and its influence on household income. The hypothesis used states that household’s expenditure on water supply does not significantly affect household income.

Results: Majority of respondents falls between 26-56 years of age. About 42% of respondents did not attend any formal education while 59% had attended formal education. Marital status and occupation showed a significant influence on water supply (P=0.036 and 0.048 respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that infrastructure, management, occupation, education and age were significant (P=0.05) predictors of household income. People perceived that there was a direct relationship between water supply and household income. Access to water was a big problem which was thought to be caused by insufficient sources of water, outdated infrastructures, administration problems and climate changes. The available water sources could not meet household requirements. In addition long distances from settlements to water sources led people to spend up to 30 minutes fetching 20 litres of water on foot. The water was of poor quality and it could have led to serious waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever. The costs spent on water were alarmingly high and ranged between TZS 36, 000 and 54, 000 per month per household depending on family size.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the water supply problem in Kabuku ward has influence on the limited available household income. Therefore addressing water shortage problems combined efforts at local and national levels are required.