Increasing quantity of water: perspectives from rural households in Uganda

Community involvement, low-technology and affordability are some of the important concepts in increasing water access to the rural poor. This study examines water-collection behavior of households in a rural area without piped-water in the Mbale district, Uganda. It tests for the determinants of water quantity available at the household level and suggests measures to increase water quantity. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the amount of water per capita per day increased by 0.86 liters (L) (11% of the current average water quantity of 7.87 l) with the addition of one 20-L jerry can to a household. If a household has a sheet-metal roof (facilitating rainwater collection) and also uses a bicycle to carry water, the amount of water per capita increased by 2.08 L (26%), compared to not having both factors or having only one. This result implies that the amount of water at the household level can be increased by means other than constructing new water sources.