Auteur : Kazwenga Masawula Pascal

Co-Auteur : Ngonzo Luwesi Cush, Ibebeke Bomangwa Yvonne, Seham Dawoud Zaky Dawoud, Kayembe Kayembe Fiston1, Kianawa Kinakina Danny, Lukuke Aseke Yves, Kalume Shikayi Jean, Bisimwa Byamungu Désir

Revue : International Journal Water Sciences and Environment Technologies

Lien : https://jistee.org/issue-4-dec-2024/

Résumé :

Households had to face severe hardships to acquire their drinking water in Mbanza-Ngungu health zone, prior to the establishment of the national water facility, known as REGIDESO. But as this new water supply source was availed to them, new issues arose, making it difficult for some to afford REGIDESO tap water. This study used a household survey based on a questionnaire to collect data from 817 units, in addition to quantitative and qualitative data retrieved from the literature. The analysis used statistical techniques for data analysis and an econometric modelling based on logistic regression. Results show that the proportion of households that chose REGIDESO tap water for drinking was as low as 26%, while 74% of the households used alternative sources. Among the many reasons explaining the rejection of REGIDESO tap, most of the households emphasized the facts that there were lack of continuous distribution network, frequent interruptions of water supply, and REGIDESO water was salty. These factors explain the disparity in access to the public water service. Hence, there is a need for REGIDESO to extend its distribution network to the marginal areas of the health zone, and improve its quality. These results are also relevant for creating awareness on the challenges and factor limiting current approaches for monitoring water quality and national water policies. Local water committees can thus be leveraged to identify priority areas, fill the gaps on data, negotiate water price and educate the people on how to improve its quality. The study recommends the application of the principles of Integrated water resources management (IWRM) to ensure the sustainability of drinking water supplies in Mbanza-Ngungu.

Keywords: Alternative water, Drinking water supply, Mbanza-Ngungu, public water Utility, REGIDESO