Water use and problems in Meru

The Nkuene Location in South Imenti Division of Meru, Kenya was selected for a household survey project to determine water demands. The Water Resources Assessment and Planning Project (WRAP) will use the data collected for\AB validation of their estimates of rural population water needs. 324 heads of household were interviewed concerning household and farming activities and financial matters, and the wives were questioned about household water\AB sources, uses and problems experienced. Approximately half of the participating households had piped water supplies, for which they invested an average of KShs 3330. Households without piped water indicated that the distance to\AB the nearest water source was the greatest problem. Water quality in the survey was judged by sight, taste and smell. It was found that the overall average water use was 28.2 litres per person for households with piped water,\AB and 17.1 for those without, as opposed to the WRAP estimates of 20.0 and 15.0, respectively. Families without piped water often washed their clothes less often during the dry season to save on long travel times, and performed\AB personal hygiene functions in the river rather than at home. Families with piped water supplies were more likely to irrigate subsistence plots than those who had to carry water.