Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

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    URBAN WATER SCARCITY AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS IN EASTERN TIGRAY: A CASE STUDY OF FREWEYNI TOWN, ETHIOPIA
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) ZEBIB BISRAT BERHE
    Climate change affected water availability in northern Ethiopia. The main objective of the study was to investigate the underlying causes and impacts of urban water scarcity on households in Freweyni Town, Eastern Tigray. Employing a combination of stratified random sampling (probability-based) and purposive and convenience sampling (non-probability-based), the research gathered data from 338 households through structured questionnaires and analyzed the responses using SPSS version 21. The study applied the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator as the primary metric for evaluating water scarcity. Results revealed a critical shortfall in water availability, with individuals consuming an average of only 10.52 liters per day—equivalent to 3.83 cubic meters per year—far below the benchmark of 1700 cubic meters per year that signifies water accessibility. This places the town in a state of absolute water scarcity. The root causes identified include rapid population growth, urbanization, financial constraints, and a lack of institutional, technological, and managerial capacity. The consequences of this scarcity are both health-related and economic: households face heightened exposure to waterborn diseases due to reliance on unsafe sources such as unprotected rivers, and they incur additional financial burdens from purchasing water from vendors and repairing outdated infrastructure. Furthermore, the study highlights unequal and inadequate water service delivery across the town. In response to these challenges, the research recommends the development of additional boreholes, strengthening the capacity of water service institutions, adopting sustainable financing mechanisms, and enhancing the involvement of non-governmental organizations and private sector actors in the local water supply system.