International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Assessment of Water Supply Accessibility, Reliability, and Governance in Haro Sebu Town: Challenges and Opportunities towards Achieving SDG 6.1 Adisu Cheneka1, Kibru Fekede2, Bari Kabede3, Shukare Oljira4 1 ,2,3,4 Tongji University, UNEP Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), College of
Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, China. ----------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Access to safe and reliable drinking water
towns still struggle to provide reliable water services to their residents [6].
remains a critical challenge in Ethiopian towns. This study assesses water supply accessibility, reliability, and governance in Haro Sebu Town, evaluating challenges and opportunities for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.1. A cross-sectional survey of 377 households, supplemented by semi-structured interviews and field observations, was conducted to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Results indicate that only 23.9% of households have piped water connections, while 53.3% rely on wells and developed springs. Physical accessibility is constrained, with 38.7% of households traveling more than 1 km to collect water. Women and girls are responsible for 79.5% of water collection, and manual transport dominates (63.7%). Water supply reliability is low, with only 20. 4% of households accessing water daily. Governance challenges are evident, with 61.5% perceiving distribution as unfair, and only 48.3% participating in local water management initiatives. The findings highlight the need for expanded piped networks, improved reliability, and inclusive governance to meet SDG 6.1 targets. Recommendations emphasize infrastructure upgrades, gender-sensitive strategies, and enhanced community participation
In Ethiopia, the situation reflects similar difficulties. The country’s secondary and emerging towns often experience chronic water shortages, unreliable supply systems, and limited household-level connections [7, 8]. While urbanization has increased rapidly, investment in water infrastructure has not kept pace with demand [9]. As a result, many households rely on alternative sources such as wells, springs, or public taps, which are frequently insufficient or unsafe [10, 11]. These challenges are worsened by aging pipelines, limited production capacity, and inadequate maintenance practices. For towns like Haro Sebu, these factors have created persistent water access constraints that affect daily life, economic productivity, and public health [12]. Understanding these challenges is necessary for planning improvements that can meet the growing needs of urban residents. Haro Sebu Town represents a clear example of the water access challenges faced in many Ethiopian towns. Although the town has multiple water sources including piped connections, public standpipes, wells, and developed springs the majority of residents still lack direct access to household-level piped water. Only a small proportion of households have private connections, while more than half rely on non-piped sources that often require long travel distances. These limitations highlight the infrastructural gaps present in the town, as water supply expansion has not matched rapid population growth or peri-urban settlement expansion [13].
Key Words: Water supply, Distribution systems, Accessibility, Reliability, Water governance, SDG 6.1, Haro Sebu Town, Ethiopia.
1. INTRODUCTION Access to safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water is a fundamental human right and a critical pillar of sustainable development [1]. Water is essential for human health, environmental protection, and socio-economic progress. However, in many rapidly urbanizing areas of low-income countries, ensuring consistent and equitable access to clean water remains a major challenge [2]. Urban populations continue to grow at rates faster than the expansion of basic water infrastructure, creating significant service gaps [3, 4]. These conditions have intensified global attention on water security, leading to the establishment of Sustainable Development Goal 6.1, which emphasizes universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all [5]. Despite this global commitment, progress remains uneven, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where many
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As a result, service inequality is evident, with households in peripheral or newly developed areas facing the greatest difficulties in securing sufficient water for domestic use. A major component of the water access problem in Haro Sebu is the physical effort required to obtain water. Many households must walk long distances sometimes more than a kilometre to reach their primary water source. Such distances exceed international standards for basic water access and impose significant physical burdens [14]. This responsibility falls overwhelmingly on women and girls, who perform nearly 80% of all water collection activities [15]. The time and energy required for water collection reduce their opportunities for education, household responsibilities,
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