DOMESTIC WATER USE AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES AMONG THE HOUSEHOLDS OF KANSENSHI AND NDEKE RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF NDOLA CITY IN ZAMBIA By Vwambanji Namuwelu A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Zambia in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources Management THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA LUSAKA 2020 COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced or stored in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the author or the University of Zambia i DECLARATION I, VWAMBANJI NAMUWELU (2015131154), do hereby declare that this dissertation is my own work to the best of my knowledge and that it has never been produced or submitted for any degree, diploma or other qualification at the University of Zambia or indeed any other university for academic purposes. I further declare that all other works of people used in this research have been duly acknowledged. Vwambanji Namuwelu Signature: Date: ii CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL This dissertation by VWAMBANJI NAMUWELU has been approved as fulfilling the partial requirements for the award of Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management by the University of Zambia. ........................................ ................................... …………………….. Examiner 1 Signature Date ........................................ ................................... …………………….. Examiner 2 Signature Date ........................................ ................................... …………………….. Examiner 3 Signature Date ........................................ ................................... …………………….. Chairperson, Board of Examiners Signature Date ……………………… ………………………. ………………… Co-Supervisor Signature Date ………………………. …………………………. ………………… Supervisor Signature Date iii ABSTRACT As cities continue to grow so does demand for water increase among the various users. Understanding domestic water use practices can help to develop water conservation strategies, thereby contributing to efficient management of the water resource. The aim of this study was to examine the domestic water use practices of the households of Kansenshi and Ndeke residential areas of Ndola City in Zambia. A Cross Sectional non-experimental descriptive research design was used. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. Qualitative data was collected from the purposively selected key informant from Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company, Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was administered to the households. Field observations were also employed. For Ndeke the sampling frame was 105 while the sample size was 82. For Kansenshi the sampling frame was 62 and the sample size was 56. Systematic random sampling was used to select the households and quota sampling was used for determination of the study sites. Two sample Z- proportions test, Two- Independent Sample T-Test and Single Variable Analysis was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed by Content Analysis. Results revealed statistically significant differences in the proportion of respondents practising the following methods; bath tub use (p=0.004) and bucket use (p=0.007) for body wash, cup use (p=0.0001) and tap use (0.0001) for teeth brushing, sprinkler (p= 0.042) and hosepipe (p= 0.022) use for garden watering and basin (p=0.002) and tap (p=0.002) use for dish washing. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.989) in the proportion of respondents who accessed water from Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company in the two areas. However the level of community awareness on water conservation was higher in Kansenshi than in Ndeke (p=0.002). Two Independent Sample T- Tests indicated that average combined income was higher in Kansenshi than in Ndeke (p= 0.0001) and that monthly payments for water were higher in Kansenshi (p=0.001). Domestic water use practices promoted water conservation as most respondents turned off the taps when not in use and advised members of their households to close the taps when not in use. There were several drivers behind domestic water use practices, these ranged from common practice that became sought of a tradition, comfort and enjoyment, saving measures in terms of water and bills, household fixtures, preferences in terms of which practice was easiest, fast, convenient, efficient and effective, hygiene benefits and weather conditions. This study proposes that as demand for water in cities increase, water resources management strategies can focus on improving adoption of household water conservation practices by residents. Understanding the prevailing water use practices and the drivers behind these practices can aid in developing appropriate domestic water conservation strategies and improve water efficiency. Water conservation measures during dish washing, brushing of teeth, garden watering and bathing must be intensified in high cost areas and focus must also be made on educating communities on the environmental benefits of water conservation. KEYWORDS: Water conservation, water source and water availability. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the residents of Ndeke and Kansenshi who were the respondents in the study, who without their help this research would not have been possible. These respondents gave up their time off their busy schedules to share their knowledge with me. I would also like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Wilma Nchito, and my co-supervisor, Dr. B.B Umar, for their professional input and academic guidance rendered to me during the course of my study. The success of this research is also as a result of my family, especially my husband and parents, for encouraging me throughout the course of my Master’s programme. Lastly but not the least, I wish to thank all my friends and classmates with whom I studied with for their support and positive criticism, which helped shape my work. v DEDICATION To my parents, Mr Bernard Simuwelu and Mrs Selina Nangoyi Simuwelu and to my husband Mr Aaron Mpembamoto who through the years have encouraged me to work hard, pursue my dreams and always remain true to myself and my passion. I owe all that I am to them. I also dedicate this work to my God, for giving me strength and wisdom. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS COPYRIGHT………………………………………………………………………. I DECLARATION……………………………………………………………............II APPROVAL………………………………………………………………………...III ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………...IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………….............V DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………...VI ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS…………………………………….........XII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………….1 1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………1 1.2 Background ………………………………………………………………………1 1.3 Problem Statement ……………………………………………………….............2 1.4 Aim ………………………………………………………………………............3 1.5 Specific Objectives ………………………………………………………………3 1.6 Research Question ……………………………………………………………….3 1.7 Research Hypotheses…………………………………………………………….3 1.8 Significance of the Study ………………………………………………………...3 1.9 Organisation of the Dissertation………………………………………………….4 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ……………………………………5 2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………5 2.2 The Global Water Situation ……………………………………………………...5 2.3 Global Methods of Water Conservation …………………………………………6 2.4 Causes, Effects and Coping Strategies of Water Scarcity in Africa……………...9 2.4.1 Causes of Water Scarcity in Africa…………………………………………….9 2.4.2 Effects of Water Scarcity in Africa…………………………………………...10 2.4.3 Water Scarcity Coping Strategies in Africa…………………………………..11 2.5 Water Reforms in Zambia ……………………………………………………...13 vii 2.6 The Water Situation in Zambia ………………………………………………..15 2.7 Domestic Water Use in Zambia ……………………………………………….16 2.8 Drivers Affecting Domestic Water Demand …………………………………..17 2. 9 Theoretical Framework ……………………………………………………......21 2.10 Knowledge Gap……………………………………………………………….23 CHAPTER THREE: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA ………………24 3.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………..24 3.2 Location and Size of the City of Ndola…………………………………………24 3.3 Physical Features of the City of Ndola…………………………………………24 3.4 Social Economic Features of the City of Ndola ………………………………..25 3.5 Study Sites………………………………………………………………………26 CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY …………………………28 4.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………..28 4.2 Research Design ……………………………………………………………......28 4.3 Sampling ………………………………………………………………………..29 4.4 Data Analysis …………………………………………………………………...31 4.5 Ethical Considerations…………………………………………………………..32 4.6 Validity and Reliability…………………………………………………………32 4.7 Study Limitations……………………………………………………………….33 CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION …………………………....34 5.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………..34 5.2 Demographic Information of the Respondents and Background Information….34 5.2.1 Distribution of Respondents by Gender………………………………………34 5.2.2 Distribution of Respondents by Age………………………………………….35 5.2.3 Household Size in Ndeke and Kansenshi Study Site…………………………35 5.2.4 Education Attainment of the Respondents from Ndeke and Kansenshi………36 5.2.5 Years of Residence of the Respondents in the Study Site…………………….37 viii 5.2.6 Monthly Household Income of Kansenshi and Ndeke Residents……………38 5.2.7 Water Source in Ndeke and Kansenshi Study Site……………………………38 5.2.8 Water Availability in Ndeke and Kansenshi Study Sites……………………..40