Water Supply and Sanitation Services for the Urban Poor: A Case Study of Epworth, Zimbabwe

While access to adequate water supply and sanitation is crucial to hygiene, human health and poverty alleviation, unplanned peri-urban areas are usually neglected in water policies and programmes and hence no formal arrangements of water supply and sanitation provision are made to that effect. Despite the challenges associated with slums, they have always played a role in accommodating the urban poor who are faced with the harsh realities of urban life. This paper sought to assess Epworths water supply and sanitation challenges. A case study approach was employed for the study and respondents were selected using purposive and convenience sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, field observations and key informant interviews. The results indicated that the residents of Epworth lack access to adequate and sustainable safe drinking water and sanitation. This study recommends that governmental and non-governmental institutions operating in the area should continue to promote low cost sanitary facilities and hygiene education so as to encourage hygiene at and beyond the household level.