Abstract:
Water supply coverage is crucial for assessing access to clean water. However, many cities in developing countries, particularly in Africa, struggle with low coverage compared to demand due to rapid urbanization and insufficient infrastructure. Addressing this challenge requires investment in infrastructure, policy reforms, and community engagement to ensure equitable access to clean water. This study evaluated water supply coverage and water loss in the Qordhere sub-Woreda of Jigjiga city water supply, Somali region, Ethiopia. Using WaterGEMs software, the water distribution system was modelled and hydrualic analyses were perfomed to identify high and low-pressure zones in the system under different demand conditions. The study also assessed the existing balance between water demand and supply in the area. Moreoever, the study quantified the total water loss within the sub-Woreda, identified its causes, and evaluated effectiveness of pressure management in reducing water loss. Findings revealed that during off-peak demand, 23.04% of nodes experienced extremely high pressure (>100mH2O), while 24.54% faced pressures between 70 and 100 mH2O leading to increased leakage rates, whereas other zones were under recommended pressure. High pressure resulted in significant real loss through leakage, reaching 0.512 liters per second on average. The average daily per capita water consumption in the study area was found to be 19.98 liters, which is below Ethiopian standards (30 to 50 liters/person/day). The annual non-revenue water in the system was found to be 25.86% of the total production. Specific components like transmission mains, distribution mains, and connection mains contributed 0.45% to total production, experiencing varying leak frequencies. Unreported connection bursts add 0.36% to total losses. Pipe length also influences losses, representing 0.005% of total production. Apparent losses, including meter inaccuracies, significantly contribute. In general, the low water supply coverage of the zone was highly influenced by the limited availability of water. However, the main reasons for the high loss of water was high pressure during off-period. As a result, pressure fluctuation during off-peak hour demand must be controlled using pressure reduction and sustaining valves installed between two successive distribution system connections.
Key words: Water loss, Water supply network, Water supply coverage, Non-revenue
water, leakage