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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 3
Publication Date: June 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/aivp.103.12375. Toure, F. F., Konan-Waidhet, A., B., Yao, A. B., Diarra, A., & Koua, T. J. J. (2022). Spatial Analysis of Access to Drinking Water for the
Populations of the Lobo Watershed in Nibéhibé (Central-Western Côte d'Ivoire). European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(3). 352-
366.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Spatial Analysis of Access to Drinking Water for the Populations
of the Lobo Watershed in Nibéhibé (Central-Western Côte
d'Ivoire)
TOURE Fanraban Fabrice
Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Jean Lorougnon Guede University, Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire)
KONAN-WAIDHET Arthur Brice
Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Jean Lorougnon Guede University, Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire)
YAO Affoue Berthe
Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Jean Lorougnon Guede University, Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire)
DIARRA Ali
Laboratory Littoral, Sea, Health
Food Security, Transport (LIMERSSAT)
University Jean Lorougnon Guede, Daloa (Ivory Coast)
KOUA Tanoh Jean Jacques
Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Jean Lorougnon Guede University, Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire)
ABSTRACT
Water is a limited natural resource, necessary for life and ecological systems, and
essential for economic and social development. Therefore, the need for water is
increasing. This observation makes sense in developing countries in general and
more particularly in Côte d'Ivoire at the level of the Lobo watershed. Indeed, despite
the efforts made by the state authorities to build water infrastructure, a large
majority of the population in rural areas still does not have access to drinking
water. This manuscript addresses the problem of financial difficulties related to
access to water in the Lobo basin in Nibéhibé. The objective of the study is to
highlight the difficulties of sustainable access to drinking water for the populations
of the Lobo watershed in Nibéhibé. To achieve this objective, the methodology was
based on the triptych documentary research, interview and survey by
questionnaire. The documentary research consisted in defining the contours of the
subject to better understand it. Then, the interviews conducted with the actors of
the water sector in the Lobo River Basin made it possible to collect information on
their level of involvement and responsibility at the economic level in the
sustainable access to water in the basin. Finally, using the simple random choice
method without discount and a statistical equation, we surveyed 300 households in
three departments (Daloa, Vavoua and Zoukougbeu). The population surveys,
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353
Toure, F. F., Konan-Waidhet, A., B., Yao, A. B., Diarra, A., & Koua, T. J. J. (2022). Spatial Analysis of Access to Drinking Water for the Populations of
the Lobo Watershed in Nibéhibé (Central-Western Côte d'Ivoire). European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(3). 352-366.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.103.12375
combined with spatially referenced data in a GIS, allowed us to assess not only the
spatial distribution of water supply sites, but also to evaluate the state of
functionality of the hydraulic structures. The results show that despite all the
actions undertaken by the Ivorian State and SODECI for the supply of drinking
water, the populations still have difficulties with sustainable access to water
resources. This situation will lead the population to turn to other sources of water
supply. Unfortunately, these water access strategies are costly and put people at
risk.
Keywords: Sustainable access to water, Watershed, Spatial analysis, Cost of water, Cote
d’Ivoire.
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, the growing urbanization linked to a high population growth rate highlights the
importance of water. As a result, water needs are becoming more and more vital [1]. For [2],
water is essential to the life of humans, animals and plants. Therefore, it must be available year- round in sufficient quantity and quality [3]. Accessibility to drinking water is therefore a
concept that captures the ease with which one can benefit from the public water service. The
question of access to drinking water is a crucial issue for all of humanity to the point that
international bodies have included it in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [4]. Thus,
access to drinking water is a major challenge for all countries in the world where the population
does not have access to an affordable drinking water service. To this end, in Sub-Saharan Africa,
one-third of the population lacks this right and 2.5 billion people lack access to basic sanitation
[5]. In addition, many households in cities in developing countries with individual water
connections and commonly considered to have "access to drinking water" are nonetheless
confronted with inadequate levels of service: intermittent service, unscheduled interruptions,
low and variable pressure, and uncertain water quality [6]. In view of this situation, Côte
d'Ivoire, with the support of its development partners, is initiating actions aimed at facilitating
access to public drinking water services for as many people as possible. Indeed, for [7],
improving the living conditions of the Ivorian population is the responsibility of the State and
requires better access to basic services, including drinking water. Thus, this policy has resulted
in the implementation of a good number of projects [8]. According to [9] the presidential
emergency program for the rehabilitation, equipment as well as water treatment of the Water
Distribution Company of Côte d'Ivoire (SODECI) are a result of this. Indeed, the increase in
demand for water in the basin now poses a problem of adequacy between available resources
and current needs [10]. The cities located in the watershed are experiencing strong
demographic dynamics and unprecedented spatial expansion. This accelerated urbanization,
will deprive a significant fringe of the population to the water network and put the sectors using
water in competition. Faced with this, the population is turning to other sources of water supply
for domestic use. It is therefore clear that despite the financial investments made by the public
authorities, there are still difficulties in accessing drinking water resources in the Lobo
watershed. The objective of the study is to highlight the difficulties of sustainable access to
drinking water for the populations of the Lobo watershed in Nibéhibé.
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 10, Issue 3, June-2022
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The Lobo watershed is located in the central-western part of Côte d'Ivoire between 6°17' and
6°44' West longitude and between 6°46' and 7°41' North latitude (Figure 1). It drains an area
of 6,923 km2 with Nibéhibé as its outlet. This watershed has a catchment area that is not
circumscribed in a single administrative entity. Most of the basin covers the departments of
Daloa, Vavoua and Zoukougbeu. The Lobo River rises at an altitude of 400 m south of Séguéla
and flows into the Sassandra River not far from the town of Loboville. The city of Daloa is the
economic hub of the region.
Figure 1. Location of the Lobo watershed in Nibéhibé
The population of the basin is changing rapidly. Between 1998 and 2014, the population grew
from 788,526 to 1,103,059 [11]. That is, an annual growth rate of about 3.1% and a density of
152 inhabitants per square Kilometer. Economic activities are quite diversified; however,
agriculture remains the main income generating activity practiced by the majority of the
population. The agricultural dynamic is based essentially on perennial cash crops (coffee, cocoa,
rubber, oil palm), food crops and market gardening. The agricultural system, which was initially
extensive, is now evolving towards a much more intensive agriculture due to the scarcity of
cultivable land. Livestock breeding is a secondary activity in the region.
Data collection
This work was based on a triptych of documentary research, interviews and a questionnaire
survey. The documentary research consisted of identifying and defining the scope of the subject
and gaining a better understanding of the problem of drinking water in the Lobo watershed.
The interviews were conducted with major players in the water sector in Daloa and Vavoua.
These were the Water Distribution Company of Côte d'Ivoire (SODECI), National Office of
Drinking Water (ONEP), the Territorial Directorate of Hydraulics (DTH) and the technical
services of the town hall. The purpose of these interviews was to gather information on their
level of involvement and responsibility in the supply of drinking water in the watershed.
The choice of localities to be surveyed was defined using the reasoned choice method and
proportional calculation. This technique is based on three (3) determining factors which are: