Abstract:
Approximately one-third of the global population resides in countries experiencing moderate to high water stress.
Additionally, Kenya is categorized as a chronically water-scarce country by the United Nations. Further, only
30% of those living in urban areas in Kenya are not connected to the water supply systems that exist. This study
therefore sought to determine the water demand as well as the uses of water by non-resident students at the
University of Kabianga (UoK). The study relied on an exploratory approach that employed a descriptive survey.
Its target population was the non-resident students (673 students) of the UoK, from whom a sample size of 250
students was selected. 53% of the participants were males, while 47% were females. Simple random sampling was
used in selecting the participants, while purposive random sampling was utilized to choose the study's private
hostels (15 Hostels). The tools for data collection included questionnaires, key informant interviews, and an
observation guide. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics and other
statistical outputs presented using tables, pie charts, and graphs. Analysis showed that gender affects water
demand since females’ average daily water demand is 47.54 lpcd which is higher by 12.4277lpcd than that of men.
This difference was mainly attributed to the variation in water usage between male and female students. Moreover,
the relationship between daily water usage and the number of students living in a room/housing unit had a high
positive and statistically significant Pearson product correlation (r= .623, p<0.05). Moreover, the relationship
between daily water usage and gender had a low positive statistically significant Pearson product correlation (r=
.329, p<0.05). It was further established that students use water mainly for washing, bathing, cooking, drinking,
and washing dishes. The relationship between the cost of 20L jerrican of water and daily water usage had a strong
positive, statistically significant Pearson product correlation (r= .516, p<0.05), thus indicating that the cost of
water influences daily water usage, thus influencing one`s main uses of water. The findings of this study will
provide a basis for the provision of a sustainable water supply of adequate quality to non-resident students` hostels
at the University of Kabianga and inform the stakeholders of appropriate measures that should be put in place to
ensure adequate water supply to their tenants.
