Effects of water accessibility to the community of Hakibale Sub County, Kabarole District, Western Uganda
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Date
2012-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University; College of Humanities and Social Science
Abstract
The lack of access to sufficient water and sanitation facilities is one of the largest hindrances towards the sustainable development of the poorest 2.2 billion people in the world. The research was conducted in Hakibale Sub County in Kabarole District. The availability and accessibility of water in a community helps reduce wastage of time which would have been used for productive work especially income generation, it also facilitates production in terms of water for agriculture and the general improvement of health of the population since water is life. The objective of the research was to find out the sources of water, effects of water availability and what can be done to ensure water availability. The research indicated that two-thirds of constructed water points were not functioning, and there was a low coverage of sanitation services. The study sampled 40 respondents where the results showed the water sources as protected springs, shallow wells, bore holes, streams, tanks, and shallow wells, the effects as diseases burden, pollution, loss of valuable time, poor school performance, gender disparity in labor and the ways of ensuring water availability included Community involvement, awareness and workshops on how communities and local leaders can improve on water accessibility. Generally, water accessibility in Hakibaale Sub County needs to be improved if the life of women and children is to be made productive both in agriculture and other Socio-Economic activities. Water sources need to be managed by cleaning the drainage channels to avoid water runoff from entering the wells which reduces on the water quality by so doing there will be provision of good and constant supply of water to the community. The local leaders, water committees, NGO should make people aware and sensitize them not to destroy water catchments areas such as forests and wetlands to enable functionality of hydrological cycle. The community should seal and level the water sources so that it can be constantly cleaned and well repaired so as to avoid the interference with the water flow and quality. There is need for the district administration to sensitize communities on issues pertaining the available water sources, how to reduce water related diseases x ,protection of water sources and the laws on water supply such that communities are informed of what they are entitled to and their roles and responsibilities.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Award of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management of Kampala International University.
Keywords
water and environment