Mitigating freshwater supply shortages in regions of high demand in Ethiopia: integrated water resources management approach

Abstract

The focus of this study is on investigating the available water resources and the existing challenges to mitigate freshwater supply shortages in Gambella Town, Harari Region, and Shinile Woreda by using the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The study examined water demand, financial constraints, existing infrastructure capacities, and available water resources focusing on rainwater harvesting (RWH) potential analyses using the existing information from literatures. Results reveal heterogeneous water availability among the study areas. Gambella Town exhibits a yearly water demand estimated at approximately 6.32 million cubic metres (MCM), while available resources from surface water, groundwater, and RWH potential are estimated at 7,674.6 MCM, 0.3 MCM, and 2.73 MCM, respectively. Conversely, the Harari Region displays an imbalance, with a total demand of approximately 16.83 MCM, surpassing available water resources. There is no identified surface and groundwater resource in this region. However, the rainwater potential in the area is calculated to be 6.36 MCM. In Shinile Woreda, the overall water demand is approximately 10.6 MCM, with available resources from groundwater, and rainwater harvesting estimated at 0.9 MCM, and 2.22 MCM, respectively. These findings underscore the urgent necessity for implementing comprehensive water management strategies, guided by the IWRM approach, to ensure sustainable resolutions for freshwater challenges in the study areas.