African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-013, July, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the Hydraulic Performance of the Ludewa Township Distribution Network, Njombe, Tanzania

Enock W. Ngoyinde^{1, 2}, *, Irene Trimo¹, Edmund Mutayoba²

¹Department of Water Supply and Sanitation Engineering, Water Institute, P.O. Box 35059, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
²Ludewa Water Supply and Sanitation Authority; P.O. Box 4, Ludewa, Njombe-Tanzania

Abstract

Received 30 May, 2026; Revised 10 July, 2026; Accepted 12 July, 2026; Published 18 July, 2026

This paper addresses the need for locally calibrated evidence on hydraulic performance in the hilly, gravity-fed Ludewa Township distribution network, where pressure imbalance can affect service reliability and infrastructure. Field pressure measurements, utility records, GIS-supported network mapping, and EPANET simulation were combined to assess current operating conditions and identify priority intervention zones. Pressure head was used as the principal service indicator, while flow, velocity, and head loss were used as supporting diagnostic indicators. Model reliability was evaluated using 72-hour observed pressure-head series from representative nodes at upper-, middle-, and lower-elevation sites, which recorded mean pressure heads ranging from 154.52 to 172.51 m. Simulated flows ranged from 0.33 to 9.98 L/s, and velocities ranged from 0.21 to 1.26 m/s. Most nodes satisfied the adopted 10 m minimum pressure-head threshold, but the network was spatially uneven: upper and peripheral branches served by smaller-diameter pipes had lower residual margins (the operational definition of vulnerability used in this study), whereas lower-elevation zones recorded high-pressure heads that may increase leakage and pipe deterioration. Calibration and validation showed strong agreement between measured and simulated pressure heads, with validation accuracy (R² = 0.991) exceeding calibration accuracy (R² = 0.967). Model performance improved from MAE = 7.05 m, RMSE = 8.88 m, and R² = 0.967 during calibration to MAE = 3.88 m, RMSE = 4.58 m, and R² = 0.991 during validation. The results indicate that Ludewa's main hydraulic constraint is not system-wide failure but localized vulnerability and overpressure. Priority actions are targeted pipe upgrading, pressure management, leakage control, continued monitoring and scenario-based planning. These findings are based on a 72-hour monitoring window, and longer-term seasonal monitoring is recommended to strengthen confidence in generalizing the results.

Keywords: Hydraulic pressure management; EPANET, Validation, GIS; Gravity-fed network
 

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-014, June, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sustainability of Urban Water Service Delivery: Integrating Policy, Partnerships, and Smart Water Metering in Dodoma City, Tanzania

Ansgar Thomas Kabutelana^{1, 2}, *, Edmund Mutayoba¹, Christopher Nditi¹

¹Department of Water Supply and Sanitation Engineering, Water Institute, P.O.BOX 35059, Dar es Salaam
²Dodoma Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (DUWASA); P.O. Box 431, Dodoma, Tanzania.

Accepted 10 June, 2026

Abstract

This paper presents a GIS-based engineering assessment of the association between smart water metering, Non-Revenue Water (NRW), and Revenue Collection Efficiency (RCE) in Dodoma City, Tanzania. The analysis combined utility-level time-series data for 2021–2025, GIS-based spatial analysis of ward-level prepaid meter distribution, and household-level econometric analysis involving 384 respondents. Results showed that smart meter coverage increased from 16.9% in 2021 to 26.8% in 2023 before declining to 10.1% in 2025. NRW showed a strong negative association with smart meter coverage for 2021–2024 (r = −0.72), while RCE showed a moderate positive association (r = +0.58). Spatial analysis indicated uneven meter deployment across wards, with smart meter density positively associated with connection rates (r = +0.62), billing accuracy (r = +0.38), and user satisfaction (r = +0.35), and negatively associated with reported NRW experience (r = −0.41). Logistic regression showed that households using prepaid meters had lower odds of reporting water-loss experience than conventional meter users (OR = 0.71, p = 0.042). The findings suggest that smart water metering is associated with improved technical and financial performance indicators, although these relationships remain correlational and are influenced by spatial inequality, operational continuity, and system-level management factors. The study highlights the need for equitable deployment, sustained maintenance, and stronger data-driven utility management.

Keywords: Smart water metering; non-revenue water; GIS modelling; revenue collection efficiency; spatial equity
 

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing Irrigation Scheme Performance and Crop Water Productivity Using Satellite Remote Sensing

S. Shah* and H. J. Dalwadi

¹Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College (BVM, Vallabhviyanagar), Gujarat India.

Accepted 27 December, 2025

Irrigation policy makers and managers need information on the irrigation performance and productivity of water at various scales to devise appropriate water management strategies, considering dwindling water availability, further threats due to continually rising population and food demand. It is often difficult to access sufficient water supply and use data to determine crop water consumption and irrigation performance. Energy balance techniques using remote sensing data have been developed by various researchers, and can be used as a tool to directly estimate actual evapotranspiration that is, water consumption. Study demonstrates how remote sensing-based estimates of water consumption and water stress combined with secondary agricultural production data, which provide better estimates of irrigation performance, water productivity. A principle benefit of the approach is that it allows identification of areas where agricultural performance is less than potential, there by providing insights into how irrigation systems can be managed to improve overall performance and increase water productivity in a sustainable manner. To demonstrate the advantages, the approach is planned to be applied in North Gujarat, India based Dharoi Irrigation Scheme. Remote sensing-based indicators reflecting equity, adequacy, reliability and water productivity can be estimated. This paper is purely the extensive research review and conceptualized concept to be used for future research in above said region.

Key words: Actual evapotranspiration, equity, adequacy, reliability, water productivity, surface energy balance, SEBAL.
 

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-020, May, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Groundwater Chemistry and Quality Assessment of the Coastal Paleocene Aquifer in Togo 

Gnazou M. D. T.¹*, Bawa L. M¹, Banton O.² and Djanéyé-Boundjou G.¹

¹Laboratoire de Chimie de l’Eau, Faculté Des Sciences, Université de Lomé, B.P 1515, Lomé, Togo.
²Laboratoire d’Hydrogéologie, Université d’Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, France.

Accepted 7 January, 2026

This paper presents a hydrogeochemical characterization of the Paleocene aquifer in the coastal basin of Togo. During the dry season (March, 2005), piezometric measurements were made on inventoried water wells. Fifty nine (59) water samples were taken for chemical analysis and the results subjected to statistical study. The quantitative variables considered for this purpose were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, the major and some minor elements. The results showed that the water samples were weakly mineralized. The electrical conductivity did not exceed 1000 µS/cm, but it increased considerably in the sulphate rich samples. Hydrochemistry was dominated by calcium and bicarbonate except where important values of sulphate (967 mg/L) were obtained. The results of chemical analysis allowed the definition of four different hydrochemical facies. The calcic and magnesian bicarbonated facies was the most important. A sodic and potassic bicarbonated facies identified was mainly due to the residence time of water in the reservoir. Principal component analysis showed one pole of mineralization with strong correlations between sulphate, carbonate, magnesium and calcium.

Key words: Hydrochemistry, aquifer, chemical facies, residence time, Paleocene, Togo.

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
    
A proposed Paradigm for integrated water resources management under changing political, economic and social conditions "The Case of Palestine"

Abdelrahman Tamimi

Palestinian hydrology Group for water and environmental resourcrs development (PHG) Director-General. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 February, 2026; Revised 29 March, 2026 Accepted 29, 2026 and Published 20 April, 2026

Abstract

The integrated management of water resources is considered one of the complex issues, where the nature of institutional structure, governance, economic, social, and political dimensions of the state intersect. This complexity extends to the state's relationships with neighboring countries when participating in international water sources. The aim of this research is to identify the challenges facing integrated resource management amidst changing political, economic, and social conditions, and within a fragile general management framework. Through this research, the author presents a comprehensive model for analyzing a social, economic, and political system that contributes to achieving greater integration in water resource management. This analysis   is developed through a case study of Palestine, where uncertainty prevails in social, economic, and political issues and interactions with neighboring countries. The research methodology will adopt the mixed method, which combines quantitative and qualitative analysis. The researcher utilized various appropriate research techniques for foresight studies, including the Delphi method, 5Ts framework, (Trend, Tensions, Transition. Today(now) Tomorrow (future), cross impact matrix and in the Delphi methodology, 18 experts two Delphi rounds were conducted to minimize bias and verify the consistency of answers. Additionally, the researcher examined experts' responses from other specialties to utilize this technique for validation. 18 indicators were used in other techniques (6 social, 5 economic, 7 technological and enabling and enabling environmental in addition to 25 sub-indicators (breakdown of the 18indicator). Through these utilized techniques, it was revealed that there are 10 indicators falling under the category of uncertainties economic, social, and external environmental uncertainties accounting for 56% of the total factors.

Keywords: IWRM, Delphi Technique, Cross impact matrix, Uncertainties.
 

African Journal of Water Conservation and Sustainability ISSN 2375-0936 Vol. 14 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Livelihood Impacts of Reduced River Flow: A Case Study of the Bhadra River

B. K. Harish Kumara, S. Srikantaswamy* and Shakuntala Bai

Department of Studies in Environmental Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri Mysore – 570 006, India.

Accepted 16 September, 2025

Environmental water requirements, also referred as ‘environmental flows’, are a compromise between water resources development and the maintenance of a river in ecologically acceptable or agreed condition. Managing environmental water flow is a complex task because the change of quantity of water occurs as the flow moves downstream. In this work, an attempt has been made to evaluate the existing conditions of the water flow in the Bhadra River at Lakkavalli, Shimoga District, Karnataka State, India and the significance of the ecosystem services through environmental flows. The possible impacts from the absence of environmental flows have also been recorded. The study involves an analysis of water flow status of Bhadra River for thirty years and also the field investigations which cover complete livelihood dependent fishermen communities and command area dependent agricultural communities. The upper catchment of the river is covered with good vegetation; the downstream of the river for 40 km has shrunken in its river bed due to the Bhadra dam, the river flow is completely irregular over a period of years. It has altered the natural flow, resulting in massive loss of riparian, aquatic habitat and water quality. Local communities are aware of the importance of environmental flows and have also realized the damages done by themselves through encroachments of flood plains and river bed for agricultural activities. More than 60% of the downstream dwellers have changed their livelihood occupations, and also migration level has increased in the fishermen communities. Communities have been impacted by irregular dry season water level fluctuations, which are characterized by extreme highs and lows, and rapid changes in water levels.

Key words: Environmental flows, ecosystem services, Bhadra River, water environment, livelihood support.