Water-use in Juigalpa : analysis of drinking water-use and -distribution and proposals for efficiency improvement of Juigalpa, Nicaragua

The research project "Water-use in Juigalpa" (Nicaragua) within the framework of the education campaign "Fuente de Amor" (Source of Love) is the last phase of the water project begun in 1984 to relieve the problem of water shortage in this city. The investigation, conducted from May-August 1994, served as an instrument to collect quantitative data from the inhabitants about water-use, water storage habits, and the degree of satisfaction with the water supply. The data is to be used for an education campaign to change water use habits so that the same amount of water can serve more people. This report includes a history of the water project; the methodology used in collecting data; the method of implementation and sample questionnaires used; the results of the investigation; conclusions; and institutional, financial and technical recommendations. The investigation found, unexpectedly, that user wastage was minimal and that shortage problems can therefore not be blamed on households but on the lack of a continuous water supply. Sixty- nine per cent of users were prepared to pay more for a daily water supply. Some recommendations for improving the water system include building a storage tank in the mainline of the system, replacing malfunctioning water meters, connecting more households to the piped system and searching for locations for new water wells to cope with population growth. The report is accompanied by a collection of annexes detailing various aspects of the research project.