Community valuation of water as a resource :

Abstract

The study on Community valuation of water as a resource-a case of Katosi landing site on the shores of Lake Victoria in Mukono district aimed at valuation of lake water as a resource WTP is a valuation too! that can easily enable us to attach a monetary value to such open and multipurpose resource although there other methods like production factor, market price, hedonic pricing and others. There is a variety of benefits from the lake ranging from water which almost a must to all community members for domestic, crop and livestock production and many others accompanied by other benefits such as fish. transport means, fresh air, recreation and good aesthetic view pasture along the shore line rainfall formation among other consumptive use and non-consumptive use. Although all these services and product from the lake are declining due to escalating contamination of water quality due to the disposal of solid and liquid waste by members around it, encroaching on vegetation near the lake among others. Never the less, some people en gage in practices which help in reducing lake water contamination such as proper waste manage ment practicing better agronomic practices and spreading environmental awareness information. Majority of people are really willing to pay for lake water improvement with a mean pay value of 150 shs per 201itre of improved lake water although the value is less than the mean cost they incur to obtain a 201itr.e jerry can from other sources which is approximately 400 Ug shs. While the willingness to pay for multiple benefits from the lake is slightly higher that for one product that is water. Socio-economic characteristics of some of them are significant in explaining the variation in the willingness pay perception and values at large. This was tested using a multinomial logistic regression model. Different strategies. were mentioned through which the community can adopt the concept of lake water conservation using the available measures put in place by the local governing community and the government. Strategies such as setting up and enforcing laws and ordnance that govern lake water use, setting up general cleaning days, pre-packaging measures with in some income generating activities, massive sensitization, mobilization and monitoring people who conduct their activities near the lake among others. From the research, recommendations to the government if it’s to conserve these open water resources with a multiple use such as lakes which provide water, fish, and others non-consumptive uses massive sensitization should be done to the local users to ensure that they are availed with the relevant environmental information which will enable them to use the lake in a sustainable manner to ensure continued provision of safe water and other non-water benefits. Key words: Willingness to pay, Water, Alternative water sources, Community, Conservation