EXAMINING HOUSEHOLD COPING STRATEGIES FOR WATER ACCESS CHALLENGES IN INFORMAL URBAN SETTLEMENTS: THE CASE OF CHINSAPO #1, LILONGWE CITY, MALAWI

Abstract

Access to safe water is vital for human health and environmental sustainability. However, in informal settlements, persistent water access issues are widespread, prompting residents to develop various coping mechanisms to sustain their livelihoods. This study explored the coping strategies employed by residents of Chinsapo 1# in Lilongwe to overcome water access challenges. A mixed methods approach was used, combining both qualitative and quantitative research designs with simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 82 households, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with Chinsapo 1# residents, and 8 key informant interviews were held with representatives from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Lilongwe Water Board, and Malili Water Users Association. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Excel to generate descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes in the qualitative data. The findings indicated that the majority of residents (96.2%) relied on water kiosks due to financial barriers preventing direct piped water connections. However, issues such as inconsistent supply and limited financial resources led residents to adopt alternative coping mechanisms, including sourcing water from unprotected rivers and neighboring areas and reducing overall consumption. The Lilongwe Water Board's limited production capacity of 100m³/day, compared to the required 150m³/day, resulted in rationing, exacerbating access challenges. These issues disrupted daily activities, imposed additional financial burdens, posed health risks, and necessitated long-distance travel to access water. The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved water access in Chinsapo 1# and recommends increasing funding to expand water treatment plant capacity, as well as subsidizing piped water connections for low-income households to ensure a more reliable and affordable water supply