Abstract

Water and sanitation-related issues have attained the attention of critical establishments such as the United Nations over the past years, resulting in the inclusion of such subjects in Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the Sustainable Development Goals efforts, access to potable water around the world remains a global problem. Zimbabwe has witnessed ever-increasing mortalities from water-borne diseases in the form of cholera and typhoid owing to a lack of access to potable water. This study sought to identify factors influencing access to potable water, the perception of the communities on disasters related to water scarcity and climate change and the challenges faced by rural communities of Ward 17 in Gwanda District, Zimbabwe. Key informant interviews, observations, and questionnaires triangulated with secondary data sources shaped the outcome of the study. Results indicated that there are dwindling water sources as a result of climate change. The study further showed that numerous sources of water like community boreholes and wells are susceptible to climate-induced droughts because they dry out during the winter season. This forces rural communities to access water from unsafe water sources like dams and rivers. Further to that, results indicated that the clean and safe water sources that are available in Ward 17 are inadequate for the population that is growing at an alarming rate and are susceptible to climate change.