Water supply and wastewater management in urban areas and the impact they pose on human health: the case of Chiredzi Town.

Abstract

The Zimbabwean urban LAs are facing a lot of challenges in service delivery due to a number of reasons but financial constraints being the major cause. The main focus of the research study was on water supply and wastewater management in urban areas and the impact they pose on human health, the case of Chiredzi town. The study sought to achieve the following objectives; to determine the impacts of poor water supply and waste water management on human health” , to identify the relationship between water supply management and waste water management and the impact they pose on human health, , to establish the root causes of poor water supply and waste water management in Chiredzi Town, to assess the capability of the Chiredzi Town Council in improving the water supply and waste water management, to determine the influence of stakeholder participation in water supply and wastewater management in Chiredzi Town and to come up with strategies to overcome the problems of water supply and waste water management. The literature review established the meaning of the terms water supply, wastewater management and health, and various schools of thought aired their views pertaining the key words. Types and sources of wastewater in urban areas, that is industrial, commercial, domestic and storm water runoff wastewater were explained and the impact they pose on human health. Water supply and wastewater management in developed and developing nations were discussed, Germany, Denmark, Thailand, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia were used as case studies. The study also shows how wastewater is being treated and re-used in both developed and developing nations. Impacts of wastewater and water supply on human health were discussed. The researcher used sampling techniques and these are stratified, SRS and purposive sampling. The population comprised of the councilors, CTC management and CTC general employees, Chiredzi General Hospital (CGH) employees, ZINWA employees and householders. The total sample size for this research was one hundred (100) people of which seventy-seven (77) responded. To extract data, the researcher, used both primary and secondary research instruments. Interviews, questionnaires (open and closed), focus group discussions and observations were used. The research findings of the research were presented using tables, narratives, graphs, pictures and charts. The research findings shows that, water is a challenge in Chiredzi town and water borne diseases are rampant in the town thereby impacting human health and wastewater have been seen to be managed poorly and sewers are seen flowing in streets and this have a negative impact on the health of people and wastewater is not being recycled and this contributed to water shortages as wastewater is let go into Chiredzi river. Recommendations that have been given include that the council should seek funds from external helpers, engage PPPs and stakeholder participation and limit political interference as well as motivate employees. Areas for future research were also highlighted and one of the area the researcher indicated is, water resources management in urban areas.