IMPACTS OF WATER SCARCITY AND LEVEL OF SANITATION IN
DAGORETTI SOUTH, RIRUTA SATELLITE, NAIROBI
i
, CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Water is an essential resource and it is indispensable for life and also for domestic and
economic activities. All plants and animals must have water for survival. Water is very
important for various reasons which include; for domestic purposes (drinking and
washing), used in manufacturing industries (solvent, coolant or lubricant), used as a
medium of growth in plants among others. Water which is in abundant supply helps to
maintain higher levels of sanitation in terms of people’s livelihood as they will be living
healthy but when water is short in supply, people tend to consume contaminated water
which causes water-borne infection like diarrhea and also serves as a carrier for vectors
such as mosquitos spreading epidemics.
Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient water resources to meet the demands of water
usage within a region. Water scarcity has become a major constraint to socio-economic
development and a threat to livelihood in increasing parts of the world. Population, water
availability and water use are the key indicators to assess water scarcity. (Junguo Liu et
al, 2017). Freshwater sources available for human consumption and beneficial uses are
very limited. Excess human population growths, industrial development together with
improving living standards have caused an unprecedented need for freshwater all over the
world. Regions once rich in water resources are struggling to meet the increasing
demands in recent years. (Veera Gude, 2017). Safe clean drinking water is basic for
living and economic development yet many Kenyans continue to have inadequate access
to water, drink unsafe water and spend much money trying to acquire it.
1.2 Problem Statement and Justification
Water scarcity is a major problem in Dagoretti and most of the residents walk up to 3km
to look for water for their survival. This is as a result of increased household population
over the years whereby people compete for the same resource making it inadequately
available to everyone. High poverty level is also an issue which affects level of sanitation
in the area. As a result, people tend to get water-borne diseases from drinking
1
, contaminated water. This study intended to provide solutions to the several factors which
lead to water scarcity and to give information on the impacts of water shortage and from
the findings would help fill the gap which will be used for proper management and
ensure regular supply of water and its sustainability by creating awareness to the local
people on the importance of treating water before consumption, identifying new methods
which would maximize amount of water and involving key decision makers who would
help in the management of water supply.
1.3 Research Questions
i. What are the main sources of water in Dagoretti?
ii. What are the methods used for water treatment by the people?
iii. What are the various common water-borne diseases in the area?
iv. How can the problem of water scarcity be alleviated?
1.4 Objectives
The main objective is to determine the impacts of water scarcity and level of sanitation in
Dagoretti.
1.4.1 Specific Objectives
To assess the main sources and amount of water for household.
i. To determine the treatment methods of water by the households.
ii. To determine the common water-borne diseases in the area.
iii. To examine possible solutions to eradicate water scarcity problem in the area.
1.5 Null Hypothesis
i. Increase in population does not significantly lead to water scarcity.
ii. Water scarcity does not significantly lead to lower levels of sanitation.
iii. Water scarcity does not significantly lead to lower economic levels.
iv. A lower level of sanitation does not significantly lead to waterborne diseases.
2
DAGORETTI SOUTH, RIRUTA SATELLITE, NAIROBI
i
, CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Water is an essential resource and it is indispensable for life and also for domestic and
economic activities. All plants and animals must have water for survival. Water is very
important for various reasons which include; for domestic purposes (drinking and
washing), used in manufacturing industries (solvent, coolant or lubricant), used as a
medium of growth in plants among others. Water which is in abundant supply helps to
maintain higher levels of sanitation in terms of people’s livelihood as they will be living
healthy but when water is short in supply, people tend to consume contaminated water
which causes water-borne infection like diarrhea and also serves as a carrier for vectors
such as mosquitos spreading epidemics.
Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient water resources to meet the demands of water
usage within a region. Water scarcity has become a major constraint to socio-economic
development and a threat to livelihood in increasing parts of the world. Population, water
availability and water use are the key indicators to assess water scarcity. (Junguo Liu et
al, 2017). Freshwater sources available for human consumption and beneficial uses are
very limited. Excess human population growths, industrial development together with
improving living standards have caused an unprecedented need for freshwater all over the
world. Regions once rich in water resources are struggling to meet the increasing
demands in recent years. (Veera Gude, 2017). Safe clean drinking water is basic for
living and economic development yet many Kenyans continue to have inadequate access
to water, drink unsafe water and spend much money trying to acquire it.
1.2 Problem Statement and Justification
Water scarcity is a major problem in Dagoretti and most of the residents walk up to 3km
to look for water for their survival. This is as a result of increased household population
over the years whereby people compete for the same resource making it inadequately
available to everyone. High poverty level is also an issue which affects level of sanitation
in the area. As a result, people tend to get water-borne diseases from drinking
1
, contaminated water. This study intended to provide solutions to the several factors which
lead to water scarcity and to give information on the impacts of water shortage and from
the findings would help fill the gap which will be used for proper management and
ensure regular supply of water and its sustainability by creating awareness to the local
people on the importance of treating water before consumption, identifying new methods
which would maximize amount of water and involving key decision makers who would
help in the management of water supply.
1.3 Research Questions
i. What are the main sources of water in Dagoretti?
ii. What are the methods used for water treatment by the people?
iii. What are the various common water-borne diseases in the area?
iv. How can the problem of water scarcity be alleviated?
1.4 Objectives
The main objective is to determine the impacts of water scarcity and level of sanitation in
Dagoretti.
1.4.1 Specific Objectives
To assess the main sources and amount of water for household.
i. To determine the treatment methods of water by the households.
ii. To determine the common water-borne diseases in the area.
iii. To examine possible solutions to eradicate water scarcity problem in the area.
1.5 Null Hypothesis
i. Increase in population does not significantly lead to water scarcity.
ii. Water scarcity does not significantly lead to lower levels of sanitation.
iii. Water scarcity does not significantly lead to lower economic levels.
iv. A lower level of sanitation does not significantly lead to waterborne diseases.
2
