Th Effects Of Water Supply Interruption On Household Income: The Case Of Ambo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Access to reliable water supply is critical for household welfare, but many communities face intermittent services with significant socioeconomic consequences. While the general effects of water supply interruptions on households is known, there is a need to understand the factors shaping their vulnerability to adverse income effects. This study examines the effects of the income impacts of water supply interruptions in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a household survey with key informant interviews (KIIs) and personal observations. The household survey included 161 participants. Using binary logistic regression, it investigates how household-level factors, including socioeconomic status, demographics, and water access, predict the likelihood of experiencing negative income effects. The results reveal several significant predictors of household vulnerability. Households without secure housing tenure, female-headed households, those with more frequent and prolonged interruptions, and larger households were more likely to experience adverse income effects. These findings underscore the complex, multifaceted nature of factors influencing household resilience to water supply unreliability. Based on the findings, the paper proposes targeted recommendations to enhance household resilience, including measures to improve housing security, support female-headed households, enhance water supply reliability, provide targeted assistance for larger households, and adopt holistic, inclusive approaches. Implementing these recommendations can help develop equitable strategies to mitigate the disproportionate burden faced by vulnerable households during water supply disruptions