Livelihood factors, explaining water consumption in a (de facto) multiple uses water system in Colombia
Isabel Dominguez
Wilmar Torres-Lopez
Ines Restrepo-Tarquino
Ricardo Oviedo-Ocana
Ian Smout
2134/17956
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Livelihood_factors_explaining_water_consumption_in_a_de_facto_multiple_uses_water_system_in_Colombia/9584801
In developing countries, rural water supply systems, generally
planned for a single purpose, are used for domestic
and productive activities. Research has found linkages
between access to water and livelihoods, thus, promoting
the implementation of Multiple Uses of Water Systems
(MUS). However, there is concern on how users with
more productive assets may exploit the highest levels
of service promoted by MUS affecting users with fewer
chances to use water productively. This article analyses
through a case study and using multivariate techniques
(Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis):
key variables to characterize the users of a de facto MUS;
identifies groups of users according to those variables,
and discusses implications of the findings in the design and
management of systems. Results show correlations for
the variables Homestead Area, Storage Capacity and
Number of Cows, with Household Water Consumption.
Two groups of customers with statistically significant
differences for key variables are identified. The results
suggest that rural water systems should not be designed
with household size as the only criterion. It also highlights
the need of managerial rules for equitable access to water
in systems, recognizing diversity of users, livelihoods and
thus, water demands.
2015-06-19 14:30:05
Access to water
Livelihoods
Multiple Uses of Water (MUS)
Multivariate analysis
Principal component analysis
Cluster analysis
Water consumption
Colombia