Determinants of water use in community managed piped water systems

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Date
2004
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Abstract
The study was carried out to establish the per capita water use levels of various categories of consumers and also establish the determinants of water use of five towns in Ashanti Region. Survey was carried out by administering questionnaires related to water use and determinants of water use. The per capita water use levels were established and multiple regression analysis was used to establish determinants from data obtained. The mean per capita water use for the five towns was 26.41 l/c/d with Mankranso (20.34 l/c/d) and Kuntanase (36.36 l/c/d) reporting the lowest and highest respectively. Households with house connection were using 58.81 l/c/d, those with yard connection were using 35.54 l/c/d whilst those depending on standpipes were using 22.88 l/c/d. The determinants of water use identified in the five towns include education, ability to pay, perceived quality of water from piped system, perceived quality of water from other sources, size of household and quality of service.. It was realized that inhabitants have an inclination towards the use of unprotected traditional water sources especially streams, wells and spring sources and the knowledge and appreciation of the potential health benefits from the use of potable water is very low in communities. Communities should therefore be sensitized through education to patronize potable water from the piped system and to use large quantities of water near to the target levels proposed to help bring about the potential health benefits.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation
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