Spatial assessment of potable (PIPED) water availability and accessibility in the greater Virunga landscape. Case study: Kinigi Sector

Abstract

This research argued that there is deficiency in piped water distribution in Kinigi Sector. The high rate of human growth has increased the rate of water demand which makes potable water to be insufficient and a great population travel long distance and spend much time in searching drinking water to survive. This study aimed at assessing the spatial availability and accessibility of piped water in Kinigi sector. The specific objectives are to ascertain the spatial coverage of the water supply system as well as evaluating the current status of water availability and accessibility and strategically propose the required spatial interventions to improve water accessibility for various users in the Kinigi Sector. To achieve this, primary and secondary data were collected and processed in ArcGIS 10.8 mainly by proximity and overlay analysis while analyzing the existing water distribution with respect to the households. The findings showed that the existing water network is composed of main water pipes connected with 14 reservoirs which distribute water to users with secondary and tertiary pipes through 32 public water taps. The distance travelled to access potable water services is the main factor in assessing the level of accessibility: 27.9% perceived to have a good accessibility and travel less than 300m to reach the nearest water tap, 31.7% have moderate accessibility; travel 300-500m, while 13.6% and 26.8% have a poor accessibility and access water taps within 500-750m and 750m above respectively. Thus, only 61% of the study area are well served by potable water facilities while 39% are not well served and they are served within the distance greater than 750m. Moreover, availability and accessibility of potable water have been proposed to be improved where 32 water taps added to the water network and the piped system also extended. This will improve potable water service in Kinigi sector where the well served inhabitants would increase from 42% to 92.1% and inadequate served area decreased from 58% to 7.9%. Therefore, the potable water supply system was recommended to be upgraded as well as using spatial analysis tools and integrating local community as stakeholder in water distribution management while meeting NST1 targets and WHO standards in terms of potable water availability and accessibility.