Anthropogenic Activities and Their Influence on Water Safety in Tseikuru Ward, Kitui County

Abstract

This is an ethnographic study on anthropogenic activities influencing water safety around the points of collection, transportation, and storage in Mwingi North Sub-County, Kitui County. Further, the study examined the effects of anthropogenic activities on water safety and the community-level mitigation strategies that address the effects of the activities on water safety. The theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior was used to assess the people's intentions regarding water safety and whether they have sufficient knowledge and skills that will help them act towards attaining water safety in their community. Data were obtained, through indepth interviews, unstructured observations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Transcribed data were coded and analyzed thematically guided by the study objectives. The findings established that open defecation, collecting water from open water sources, poor livestock fecal disposal, stepping in, and dipping of jerricans into the water sources affect water safety at the point of collection. On transportation pollutants, repairing broken jerricans with sand, use of unclean jerricans, and unsealed jerricans, and use of nylon and leaves, were pointed out while the use of; uncovered water storage facilities, irregular cleaning of storage facilities, and dipping dirty hands in the water sources pollutes the stored water. These practices affect water by changing its taste, odor, and color thus making it unfit for consumption. To mitigate against water pollution, the community reported boiling and using water guards, praying for the water, use of a stone called "ivia ya ukuna kiw’u" to desilt the dirty water, and buying bottled water. Water handling practices like cleaning and rinsing of containers before collection and storage, covering filled containers during transportation, and after storage are also used to preserve water safety. The study concludes that household water safety is a factor of anthropogenic practices across the three nodes of the water supply chain: source, transportation, and storage as informed by lay knowledge of what’s worked over the years. Polluted water affects the community's economic productivity as well as their health. The study, therefore, recommends re-socialization of the community to embrace safe water access, transportation, and storage. The community together with the government should reinforce ways that ensure a change of behavior for most of the community members. Since water pollution doesn’t occur in isolation, informal and formal levels of water governance need to integrate elements that minimize water pollution as part of addressing water insecurity in the community, this would mean holding water hygiene clinics as part of community engagement in safe and sustainable water consumption. A change of behavior from mishandling water to handling water with caution since it informs everyone's well-being in a community is a great decision in the right direction. Therefore, every community member should endeavor to change their behavior toward clean and safe water for their well-being. A feasibility study on an affordable mobile technology system that tests water quality is highly recommended.