WATER SUPPLY COVERAGE AND QUALITY IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF SUPPLY (IN CASE OF HAWASSA TOWN)

Abstract

Water supply in distribution system is the key problems of water authorities in developing countries including Ethiopia. Water consumption has been increasing significantly in most towns due to increasing number of population and other factors. This study assess Hawassa town water supply system based on main performance indicators namely Demand and supply water coverage, water production, water consumption, distribution system water loss, water quality and operation and maintenance. High water loss, customer complaints and operation and maintenance problems indicates that there are deficiencies on the quality of the service. To conduct this research, data of water production and consumption, some water supply system data were obtained from the water utility records and primary data were collected through field survey and structured checklist administered to the water consumers and key personnel of Hawassa Town Water Supply and Sewerage Enterprise ( HTWSSSE) . The existing water supply source of locations was analyzed using software ARC GIS Map version10.1 and the data from HTWSSSE and households were analyzed descriptive methods. As found out, Hawassa town water supply service could not meet water demands of the town with existing capacity. The total demand of the town for the year of 2022/23 is 90,388 m 3 /day but the production is 30,976.56 m3 /day which have only 30% coverage of the demand. Sufficient water scheme development that fulfills town demand is the major question to date. Even though there are a number of water sources in the area, chemical content is the main problem as confirmed during this work. The town situated in the rift valley where there is problem due to natural chemical content which undermines the quality of water. Assessment was made on all available ground and surface water sources to verify chemical content that can causes adverse effect on human health. In this regard, 24 samples were collected from all available sources in the town and nearby surroundings area of the town and tested in Hawassa Town Water Supply and Sewerage Service Enterprise, Water Quality Laboratory. According to the test result, most of sources are safe for drinking purpose except calcium, magnesium a little bit higher or out range, however ,the bit increase do not cause adverse effect for human health and fluoride and iron which are more than admissible range of WHO but some sources have allowable range. On the other hand, all boreholes and rivers capacity measured during this work. The analysis of the storage capacity of existing reservoirs which have 10,400m3/day the recommended range was 27,116.4 m3 /day to 45,194.15 m3 /day , the results shows less than the recommended range, so the Hawassa city water scheme is not safe regarding to storage capacity. In conclusion, the town’s water supply system is poor in managing water loss, water access, operation and maintenance with the continuous generation of water from source continuously into balancing reservoir. It is recommended that the water utility develop a strategy and work hard on the indicate system deficiencies especially on operation and maintenance to improve the water supply system performance and provide customers with good quality service