Challenges and Opportunities of Rural Water Supply in Elfeta District West Shoa Oromiaregional National State Ethiopia

Abstract

Water is life in general and potable water in particular is essential for life, health and human dignity. Access to water is a fundamental need and constitutes one of the most important human rights. But most rural areas in the developing world and in hilly and mountainous regions suffer from acute shortage of water both in quantity and quality. This study was carried out to assess the challenges and opportunities of rural water supply in Elfeta district.The study was conducted in two purposely selected village of Elfeta District. A combined research approach (quantitative and qualitative methods) was employed and both primary and secondary data were collected. The study is based on primary data collected from 137 samples selected at random using questionnaire. Additional information was also obtained from focus group discussion, key informant interview and personal observation. The data has been analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS software. Qualitative data were used to substantiate the responses of questionnaire. This result obtained from the study shows that people are very aware of the benefits of using water from developed (clean water) source. That is why the majority of them are fetching water from developed water sources by traveling out of their community.The respondents have stated that the existence and practice of community participation in their respective community.The challenges of water supply and distribution in the study area are population growth and urbanization, lack of technological capacity insufficient financial resource; insufficient water resources, weak sector coordination and topography of the areaLack of Training to Water Committees and Households in the Study Area and Lack of appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of water supply strategic plan at district level,were the major ones.The study recommended that toaddress the problem organizational frame work, human power situation with respect to total required personnel, budget situation and material resources of the office should be managed properly