Spatial variation in per capita water consumption in the city of Shahat, Libya

Abstract

The water problem in Libyan cities is no longer confined to providing water supply sources in quantities proportional to the sizes of these cities or ensuring the quality of water for human consumption. Rather, this problem has expanded to include spatial injustice in water distribution, leading to spatial disparities in consumption within the same city. This study aims to determine the per capita water allocation in the city of Shahat, comparing it with the designated standard per capita water allocation in Libya. Additionally, the study analyzes spatial disparities in per capita water allocation among different neighborhoods in the city, highlighting the factors influencing this spatial variation. To achieve these objectives, the study utilized a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of households in Shahat, totaling 150 surveys. The analysis employed quantitative methods using the SPSS software. The study revealed several results, including a decrease in per capita water allocation in Shahat compared to the established standard in Libya, and a clear disparity in per capita water allocation among different neighborhoods in the city. This disparity is attributed to various factors, including water supply, water purchasing, household size, the age of the water network in residential areas, and the construction date of residential units.