ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DOMESTIC WATER DEMAND IN YELWA AREA OF BAUCHI METROPOLIS

Background: Domestic water demand is influenced by various socio-economic factors, and understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective water resource management. Objective: This paper analyzed socio-economic characteristics and domestic water demand in Yelwa Area of Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: Using systematic random and stratified sampling techniques, data were collected from 310 households via structured questionnaires, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. Results: The results revealed that socio-economic characteristics significantly influence domestic water demand in the study area, specifically, income level and household size were significant predictors of domestic water demand, while occupation was not. Conclusion: The paper concluded that income and household size have significant and positive relationships with domestic water demand in the study area. Key Contribution to knowledge: This study contributed to existing knowledge by providing insights into the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and domestic water demand in the study area. Recommendations: Based on the research conclusion, the following recommendation was proffered; policymakers, water resource managers, urban planners, city planners, urban managers, and urban and regional planners should consider the socio-economic characteristics of households when developing strategies to provide and manage water resources and income and household size should be taken into account when predicting domestic water demand, and again further research should explore the relationship between occupation and domestic water demand, as the findings of the study suggested that occupation was not a significant factor in the study area.