Browsing by Author "LUNGU, Dalitso"

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    An Assessment of how water affects livelihoods: A Case Study of Chainda Compund, Lusaka, Zambia
    (2026) LUNGU, Dalitso
    This study assessed the adequacy of water supply and its impact on community livelihoods in Chainda Compound, Lusaka, Zambia. The research was prompted by the persistent water shortages and the increasing reliance on informal water sources in peri-urban settlements despite various infrastructure interventions. The primary objectives were to examine the reliability and accessibility of the existing water supply, evaluate the adequacy of available water sources in meeting household and livelihood needs, and assess how current water conditions influenced daily economic activities. Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, the study employed a mixed-methods approach to gather data from 50 respondents, including household heads and key informants from the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC). Findings revealed that water supply was critically inadequate and unreliable, with 50% of the respondents receiving water for less than two hours per day. This intermittency forced residents to prioritize basic survival over hygiene and economic tasks. Furthermore, the study established a significant "water-poverty" nexus, where 44% of residents experienced reduced business hours due to time spent fetching water, while 36% incurred high financial costs from purchasing water from private vendors at inflated prices. Qualitative data highlighted the disproportionate burden on women, who faced significant "time poverty" that hindered their participation in income-generating activities. The study concluded that the existing water infrastructure failed to meet the basic requirements of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation, thereby trapping residents in a cycle of economic vulnerability. Recommendations included the implementation of transparent rationing schedules by LWSC, the introduction of pro-poor water tariffs, and the investment in decentralized, solar-powered water systems to enhance community resilience. Ultimately, the study underscored that improving water reliability is a prerequisite for sustainable livelihood development in Lusaka’s informal settlements. Keywords: Water Adequacy, Community Livelihoods, Informal Settlements, Time Poverty, Lusaka, Zambia.