This study discusses urban water use and affordability by different consumers in Botswana.
It outlines the potential urban water requirements that are expected to accompany the
continuing economic developments in the country. Water demand for various uses has
been increasing rapidly in recent years because of the development in industries and
institutions, let alone m increase in population and hence an increase in domestic use due
to changes in living standards.
Chapter 1 presents the background infonnation, which entails the general characteristics
and economic development of Botswana, and a brief description of the nature of the
problem, and how it should be addressed.
Chapter 2 outlines the main objectives, which surrunarises what should be achieved by the
study at the end.
Chapter 3 presents some literature on urban water use and affordability. It focuses on
issues such as water supplies and demands, the relative importance of demand management
versus supply augmertation, water conservation and protection, and water prices and
pricing systems practised in Botswana and other countries. It also discusses the empirical
findings by other studies, and uses price and income elasticities to determine the
significance of water use and affordability in urban areas for different consumers.
Chapter 4 discusses the methodology to be adopted so as to meet the set objectives of the
study.
Chapter 5 examines the factors which appear to influence the quantity of water used for
various purposes and the ways in which water consumption behaviour is expected to
change over time in response to changes in economic activities and development. By using
the available literature -md the limited data analysis, it was discovered that factors such as
population, rainfall, construction and price of water (tariffs) result in some variations in the
quantity of water consumed by different consumers over time.
Finally, chapter 6 concludes the discussions and examines the policy implications of urban
water demand, supplies and management in Botswana.