The Impact Of Population Growth On Domestic Water Supply: A Case Study Of Tunduma Town, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study sought to assess the impact of population growth on domestic water supply in Tunduma town, Tanzania. The study intended to assess the impact of population growth in domestic water supply, identify the challenges that hinder effective domestic water supply as well as determining mitigation measures to address limited access to domestic water supply at household level. Data were collected through household survey, key informant interviews and direct observation. A total of 100 households were involved in this study. The information obtained was analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 version and qualitative information was analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that 99% of respondents faced problem of water shortage for domestic purposes. The problem of water shortage for domestic use is mainly caused by different factors including garden watering, animal drinking and small industrial activities in the study area, the situation forced the resident to use unsafe water obtained from different sources such as wells, boreholes and natural springs which are not treated. The study further revealed that high cost of drilling bore holes, dumping of waste material near water sources are the major challenges that affect domestic water supply in the study area. In addressing the shortage of domestic water supply in the study area, technical support from government is required in drilling permanent boreholes, reducing cost of water taps connection at household level. The study recommended that the community ought to be provided with skills and knowledge of conserving the available water sources for sustainable use. The community should be given skills on how to harvest and store rain water for domestic purposes.