Community perception of the economic value of water resources and sustainability of the economics of rain water harvesting technologies in central Uganda.

Abstract

Water is a vital production factor and an economic benefit for human life and biodiversity throughout the world whose commercial value differs from that of normal market goods. As water resources become increasingly scarce in Africa, the need for the use of economic tools to aid in decision making end management becomes susceptible (Turpie 2005). Multistage sampling in combination with simple random and purposive sampling techniques jointly-with questionnaires and interviews guided the collection of information from Wakiso and Mpigi districts each from which two sub counties were selected; Wakiso, Nsangi, Mpigi and Buwama respectively. Market price and contingent valuation methods were used to find the value of ground running water sources- and the value of water from the harvesting and conservation technology perspective. The study also accessed the sustainability of water supply systems. The total value of ground running water sources inclusive of the services, direct products and other products apart from water was found to be USUS$692550.94 for Wakiso, USUS$902350.65 for Nsangi, USUSS113225.72 for Mpigi and USUS$850341.3 for Buwama. Areas without piped water, Nsangi (USDS$902318.25) and Buwama (USUS$850187.7) had a higher value of the water from these sources. The total value of water from the harvesting and conservation technology perspective was USUS$205171.54 in Wakiso, USUS$149866.88 in Nsangi, uSUS$85398.96 in Mpigi and USU$101727.82 in Buwama. Wakiso and Nsangi had a higher value indicating a higher investment in water harvesting. Cross correlation matrices and regression analysis using the Gaussian Identity and Log Models were used to test for the significance of the reasons as to why people buy water and among others, independent variables like challenges faced in rainwater harvesting (P<0.001) and access to ground running water sources (P<O.OOI) were found significant. It is therefore recommended that government invests in equipping people especially in the rural communities with appropriate technologies and skills to enable them harvest rain water and excavate underground water together with effective management. Keywords: Water, Total value, Sustainability, Central Uganda.