Assessing urban water security in Awash River Basin, Addis Ababa, and its surrounding towns using Integrated Urban Water S ecurity Index

Abstract

This study assesses the urban water security of Addis Ababa and surrounding cities, within the Awash River Basin (ARB). Using the Integrated Urban Water Security Index (IUWSI) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), it combined primary data from household surveys across Addis Ababa’s 11 sub-cities with stakeholder perspectives from downstream towns (Adama, Awash, Lake Beseka) and secondary data from relevant authorities and literature. The analysis applied the framework of Drinking Water and Human well-being, Ecosystems, Climate Change and Water-Related Hazards, Socio-Economic Aspects (DECS). Statistical analyses (chi-square, regression, K-means clustering) confirmed significant correlations between location, water availability, and affordability. ArcGIS spatial mapping revealed distributions of turbidity (30 NTU downstream), E. coli (50 CFU/100 mL), and Water Quality Index (40–80). Water shortages affected 79.2% of respondents in Addis Ababa and 90–100% downstream, with Lake Beseka recording arsenic at 95.6 µg/L. Bole (IUWSI: 2.1) and Akaki Kality (2.2) were the most vulnerable sub-cities. Future projections indicate IUWSI could fall to 1.6 under Business-as-Usual or rise to 3.9 by 2050 under Sustainable Development scenarios. Recommendations include infrastructure upgrades, pollution control, climate-resilient strategies, transboundary governance, and enhanced community engagement, providing a scalable model for urbanizing basins and supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).