Syum - Thesis Comments

WOLLO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT

OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MASTERS
PROGRAM
Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection Modeling in Dessie

City, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
By:-Siyoum Gizaw
Advisor:-Eshetu Shifaw (Dr)
A Research Submitted to Postgraduate Studies Wollo University, in Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Masters Degree in Geographic
Information System and Remote Sensing.
October, 2022
Dessie, Ethiopia
WOLLO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT

OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MASTERS
PROGRAM
Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection Modeling in Dessie

City, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
By:-Siyoum Gizaw
Advisor:-Eshetu Shifaw (Dr)
A Research Submitted to Postgraduate Studies Wollo University, in Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Masters Degree in Geographic
Information System and Remote Sensing.
October, 2022
Dessie, Ethiopia
ii
DECLARATION
This is to certify that the thesis entitled “GRAVITY DISTRIBUTION WATER

RESERVOIR SITE SELECTION MODELING IN DESSIE CITY, SOUTH WOLLO
ZONE, ETHIOPIA”, was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in GIS and Remote Sensing, is a record of original work
carried out by me and has never been submitted to this or any other institution to get any
other degree or certificates.
___________________________ __________________ _________________
Name Signature Date
iii
APPROVAL SHEET
WOLLO UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
An advisor, we here certify that we have read and evaluated this thesis prepared, under
our guidance, by Siyoum Gizaw entitled “Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site
Selection Modeling in Dessie City, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia”. We recommend that it
be submitted as fulfilling the thesis requirement for the Degree Master of science
Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in the department of
Geography and Environmental Study.
Approved:
Advisor:
_____________________________________________________________________
Name Signature Date
Co-Advisor _________________________
____________________________________________
Name Signature Date
Chair holder
____________________________________________________________________
Name Signature Date
College Dean:
_____________________________________________________________________
Name Signature Date
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to say thank you and bring Glory to the only Way of life, Truth
and Giver of everlasting life to Holly Trinity.
I thank very much my advisor Eshetu Shifaw (Dr) for his valuable scholarly guidance,
comments, suggestions and corrections up to end of the study.
My deepest gratitude also goes to my lovely wife Abeba Ayalew whom she always is
with me and helps materially, financially and morally and for my family members.
My appreciation also extends to Dessie City Water Supply and Waste Water
Management Department, the City Administration, Work and Urban development
Department and South Wollo Zone Administration.
My greatest thanks extends to all my best friends who cooperate me on my work, for
Getnet Altaye who support me by lending materials and for the residents who give me
important information.
At the last but not the least, I thank greatly from deepest of heart Ato Jemberu Assefa for
his initiation to join in this University, unthinkable effort for the success of the
professional study in general.
Finally, thanks to staff members and for all who know me and wish my success.
v
Table of Contents
Titles Pages
List of Tables ix
List of Figures x
ABSTRACT xii
ACRONYMS xiii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Background of the Study 1

1.2. Statement of the Problem 2
1.3. Objectives 5
1.3.1. General Objective5
1.3.2. Specific Objectives 5
1.4. Research Questions 5
1.5. Significance of the Study 5
1.6. Scope of the Study 6
1.7. Limitations 6
1.8. Organization of the Thesis 6
CHAPTER TWO 8
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 8
2.1. Concepts of Gravitational Distribution of Water 8

2.3. Major Challenges of Urban Water Supply 10
2.3.1 Shortage of Finance 10
2.3.2 Attitudinal Barriers 10
2.3.3 Lack of Commitment 11
2.3.4 Political Barriers 11
2.3.5 Fast Population Growth 12
2.4. Suitable Site Selection 12
2.5. The Existing Reservoir Sites 13
2.6. Appropriate Water Distribution Zones 13
vi
2.7. Water Distribution System 14
2.7.1 Pumping System 14
2.7.2 Gravity System 14
2.7.3 Combined or Dual System 15
2.8. Major Factors for Gravity Distributions Water Reservoir Site Selection 15
2.8.1 Physical Factors 16
2.8.2 Socio Economic Factors 18
CHAPTER THREE 21
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 21
3.1. Description of the Study Area 21

3.1.1. Location 21
3.1.2.Topography of the city 22
3.1.3. Population of the city 22
3.1.4. Temperature of the City 24
3.1.5. Rain Fall of the City 24
3.1.6. Soil Types of the City 25
3.1.7. Economic Activity 26
3.2. Methods 27
3.3. Research Design 28
3.4.Sample Size and Sampling Techniques 28
3.5.Data Sources 29
3.5.1. Primary Data Source 29
3.6. Methods of Data Collection Instruments 29

3.7. Materials 30
3.8. Method of Data Analysis 32
3.8.1. Digitizing 32
3.8.2. Buffering 32
3.8.2.1. River Buffering 33
3.8.2.2. Road Buffering 34
3.8.2.3. Settlement Buffering 35
3.8.3. Conversion 36
3.8.4. Reclassification 42
vii
3.8.5. Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) 50
3.8.6. Weighted Overlay 52
3.9. Factors or Variable Selection 53
3.10. Method of Validation 55
CHAPTER FOUR 56
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 56
4.1. Results 56
4.1.1. Determinant Factors of Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection 56
4.1.2. Major Challenges of Evenhanded Water Supply 66
4.1.3. Mapping the Most Suitable Site for Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir 67
4.1.4. Evaluation of Existing Reservoir Sites with those Parameters 71
4.1.5. Creating Appropriate Water Pressure Zone 78
4.1.6. Type of Water Distribution System in the Study Area 79
4.2. Discussions 80
4.2.1. Major Factors 80
4.1.2. Major Challenges of Evenhanded Water Supply 81
4.1.3. Mapping the Most Suitable Site for Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir 82
4.1.4. Evaluation of Existing Reservoir Sites with those Parameters 83
4.1.5. Creating Appropriate Water Pressure Zone 83
4.1.6. Type of Water Distribution System in the Study Area 84
CHAPTER FIVE 85
5. CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 85
5.1. Conclusions 85
5.2. Recommendations 86
References 88
Annexes 92
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Existing Service Reservoir Capacity, location and construction Date
Table 2 Datasets for this study
Table 3 Software and materials
Table 4 The Fundamental Scale for Pair-Wise Comparison Matrix (Saaty 1998)
Table 5 Random Consistency Index
Table 6 Factor used to obtain gravity distribution water reservoir site selection
Table 7 Area Coverage of Elevation Suitability
Table 8 Area Coverage of Slope Suitability
Table 9 Area Coverage of Land Use Suitability
Table 10 Area Coverage of Distance from Road Suitability
Table 11 Area Coverage of Distance from River Suitability
Table 12 Area Coverage of Distance from Settlement Suitability
Table 13 Ranks of Challenges for Evenhanded Water Supply in the City
Table 14 Pair-wise Comparison Matrix
Table 16 Consistency Analysis
Table 17 Suitability Level and Area Coverage
Table 18 Pressure Capacity, Reservoir Name and Elevation
Table 19 Water Distribution in Old Pressure Zones
Table 20 Comparison of Old and New Pressure Zones
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Location Map of the Study Area
Figure 2 Elevation Map of the Study Area
Figure 3 Population Density Map of the Study Area
Figure 4 Monthly Temperature Distribution of the Study Area
Figure 5 Average Annual Rainfall of the Study Area
Figure 6 Soil Map of the Study Area
Figure 7 Flow Chart for Research Methodology
Figure 8 River Buffer Distance
Figure 9 Road Buffer Distance
Figure 10 Settlement Buffer Distance
Figure 11 River Raster
Figure.12 Road Raster
Figure.13 Settlement Raster
Figure 14 Land Use Raster
Figure 15 Soil Type Raster
Figure 16 Elevation Classification
Figure 17 Slope Classification
Figure 19 Road Classification
Figure 20 River Classification
Figure 21 Settlement Classification
Figure 22 Soil Classification
Figure 23 Elevation Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 24 Slope Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 25 Land Use Suitability Map of the Study Area
x
Figure 26 Road Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 27 River Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 28 Settlement Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 29 Soil Suitability Map of the Study Area
Figure 30 Suitability Map for Gravity Distribution Water reservoir Site
Figure 31 The Most Suitable Map for Gravity Distribution Reservoir Site
Figure 32 Old Main Reservoirs with their Extensions
Figure 33 Old and New Reservoir Locations and their Respective Pressure Zones
Figure 34 Level of Suitability of Existing Reservoir Locations
Figure 35 Demarcation of Pressure Zones using Theissen Polygon

Figure 36 Suitable Pressures for Dessie City
xi
ABSTRACT
Today the need to use geographical information system and remote sensing techniques in
provision of infrastructure service like urban potable water is increasing worldwide. This
fast growing demand brings the technology to be exclusively applicable in all fields of the
study to solve their spatial related problems. However, in developing countries like
Ethiopia these technologies are still in their infant stage to apply in all aspects of prob-
lems like suitable site selection for facilities like sites for gravity distribution water sup-
ply reservoir, to detect changes that happened on space. For instance, evidences showed
that there is plenty of ground water in Dessie City and around it. But Dessie City like
other Ethiopian urban centers is characterized by shortage of basic infrastructures and
services such as urban water supply and management system. Even though the Dessie
City administration has tried to construct additional reservoir sites to address these
problems, the existing conditions of reservoirs in Dessie city are still unfortunate. There-
fore this research is prepared to assess suitable site for gravity distribution water reser-
voir in Dessie City using factors like elevation, slope, land use, distance from road, dis-
tance from river, distance from settlement areas, soil type by applying analytical hierar-
chical process and weighted overlay analysis methods. To do this both qualitative and
quantitative were used as primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained
through interviewing key informants and officials, field observation. Fair and equitable
provision of drinking water from gravity distribution water reservoirs has many chal-
lenges in Dessie city. The finding of this study indicated that the major challenges were;
elevation difference between the customers house and reservoir locations, fast population
growth, capacity limitation of reservoir, shortage of water source, financial problems
among the others. Based on the chosen factors the data were processed and all 15 exist-
ing reservoir sites were evaluated and 96 new highly suitable locations with appropriate
water pressure zones were identified to fulfill the demands of water supply in the study
area. Therefore it can be summed up that using powerful tool like GIS and remote sens-
ing techniques make easy to solve spatial problems.
Key Words: AHP, Weighed Overlay, GIS, RS, Gravity Distribution Reservoir
xii
ACRONYMS
AHP Analytical Hierarchical Process

AMP Asset Management Plan
AOI Area of Interest
CM Centimeter
CSA Central Statistical Agency
DCA Dessie City Administration
DCASPPO Dessie City Administration Structural Plan Project Office
DCWWSO Dessie City Wastewater and Water Supply Office
DEM Digital Elevation Model
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
GIS Geographic Information System

KM Kilometer
LM Linear Meter
LULC Land Use Land Cover
MCDM Multi Criteria Decision Making

RS Remote Sensing
UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programs
WOA Weighted Overlay Analysis
xiii
CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
It is evident that water is life. It plays an important role in landscape evolution, study of
surface processes by considering how and why water moves around in the Earth System
(Tilahun et al., 2017). According to (UN, 2015) water is an essential resource in the pro-
duction of most types of goods and services including food, energy and manufacturing.
Beside its invaluable importance managing and supplying potable water is one of biggest
challenges of the urban areas of all sizes. It is almost always in the top five of the most
challenging problems for city managers (UN, 2015). As a result, mitigating this challenge
needs global, regional, local and multidimensional cooperation and partnership and there
should be a scientific study to generate relevant information for decision making process
(Reddy et al., 2014).
There are many mitigation measures to distribute potable water in urban areas. One of the
major and effective solutions for equitable supply is selecting appropriate reservoir sites
(UN, 2015). Hence, the purpose of this study is to model the suitability of gravity distri-
bution water reservoir, to evaluate the existing ones based on a certain criteria, to find the
major challenges, and to create appropriate water pressure zone in Dessie city.
1.1. Background of the Study

According to (UN, 2015) starting the beginning of the 21st century the world faces an
equitable quality water distribution crisis. This unbalanced water distribution is resulting
from many factors. Some of these include continuous population growth, urbanization,
land use change, industrialization, food production practices, increased living standards
and poor water use practices and management strategies (Kefyalew, 2019).
According to (Manjubashini et al., 2014) gravitational distribution water supply reservoir

site selection is one of the most critical issue for every developing community in the
world. Even if suitable site selection for any activity is a new technology in many
countries it grew significantly more popular during the 21st century by many Federal
1
Government as a tool for stimulating and modeling a certain infrastructure investment in
the inner city and regional economic development (Manjubashini et al., 2014).
Since Ethiopia is one of the developing countries the concept of suitable site selection using
geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technology in different cities
and towns is not understand well by different structure of the government, community,
private sectors and others (Tesfa Gebrie & Ademe, 2012).
Therefore it is invaluable using GIS as a suitable tool for site selection since it has the
capability to manage and process large amount of spatial data and potentially saves time
that would normally be spent in selecting an appropriate site. Moreover, GIS is an
ultimate method for preliminary site selection as it efficiently stores, retrieves, analyses
and displays information according to user-defined specification (Shammas & Wang,
2016).
Dessie is one of the cities in Amhara region which is showing fastest urban growth (Tesfa
Gebrie & Ademe, 2012). According to Dessie City Administration (2015) the population
has increased alarmingly due to rural-urban migration and natural increase. This brings
an unequal distribution of water in the city from time to time. According to Ato Worku
Amogne the manager of Dessie City Water Supply and Sanitation Department unfair
water supply distribution in the city is due to different barriers. Some of them are limited
capacity of existing water reservoirs, legal and illegal expansions of the city, high inward
migration, limited water source and the mountainous topography of the city.
This problem can be minimized by selecting suitable sites using geographic information
system and remote sensing. According to (Shammas & Wang, 2016) suitable site
selection for gravitational water distribution reservoir has a direct positive impact on the
wellbeing of the urban population and kindly for the fundamental integrity of our life
support systems, on which a wide range of sectors, from urban development to food
production and industry as well.
1.2. Statement of the Problem

It is obvious that water supply and management has been a big challenge in all over the
world (Reddy et al., 2014). This challenge is resulted from many difficulties. According
2
to (Abdalla et al., 2017)some of these barriers include lack of appropriate site selection,
little knowledge to the new technology (i.e. suitable site selection using GIS and RS),
absence of due attention to operation and mismanagement of water supply source sites.
These problems are severe in developing countries lead to fail to achieve what is
expected sustainably(Shammas & Wang, 2016).A study by Mohammed and Sahabo
emphasized that most of the towns and cities especially in developing countries
experience rapid urbanization without corresponding expansion of facilities like water
distribution reservoirs to cater for the increasing population (Mohammed & Sahabo,
2018).
It is also true for Ethiopian urban centers that are characterized by shortage of basic
infrastructures and services especially scarce resource like water supply and
management in almost all cities is poor and inadequate. Some of the major factors that
have contributed to poor water supply and management in most cities of Ethiopia in
general and in Dessie city in particular are the absence of well managed and adequate
water sources and gravitational distribution water reservoirs site selections respectively
(Tesfa Gebrie & Ademe, 2012).
The ups and downs topographic nature of Dessie city is difficult to provide gravity fed
water supply service from one center location (ANRS Water, Irrigation and Energy
Development Bureau, 2019). To overcome the aforementioned challenge Dessie City
Waste Water and Water Supply Office constructs about 5 major and 10 supplementary
with a total of 15 reservoir sites. But two of these service reservoirs have stopped to
function and brings a shortage of 280 meter cube water per day from the preexisted
supply for the surrounding societies and it is still waiting in a very poor condition
(DCWWSO, 2014).
As a result the coverage of quality water supply in the city remains below half which is
about 34.6% (DCWWSO, 2014). This has a negative impact on the social (like unable
to cook their food timely), economical (e.g. low production of industries and services
like abattoir) and health (poor hygiene, for instance toilets in condominium and in most
offices) of the society.
3
Thus, the City Administration and privately participating service providers obliged to
fetch and transport water from nearby streams and always there is an intermittent water
supply from those reservoirs to consumers by blocking some part of the pressure site.
Therefore there is no equal distribution or access for all residence in the city which have
high negative impact for the general wellbeing of the population (DCWWSO, 2014).
Apart from this, some researchers like Case and Bachok did a research in Kelantan by us-
ing four major criteria such as elevation; where highest elevation is more favorable, dis-
tance from river; where places nearer to rivers are preferable, slope; where gradual slopes
are preferable and land use; where lands further away from residential, agricultural, and
economic areas are favorable (Case & Bachok, 2021). Another study in Pakistan used six
factors such as elevation where highest elevation was preferable, slope where 0-8 degree
was preferable, land use barren land was more preferable, soil type where rocky land was
preferable, settlement, recreation sites where greater than 10 kilometer was preferable
and road distance where less distance from road was preferable (Raza et al., 2018).
Along with, as far as my search is concerned a study by Bakhtyar in BatuPahat town

Malaysia applied six major criteria which were distance from road network where layer
near the road is suitable, distance from pipeline layers near the pipe is suitable, distance
from land use where layers near the residential is suitable, distance from river where lay-
ers near the river is suitable, slope where high slope is suitable and elevation where high-
est elevation is suitable ( Bakhtyar et al., 2015).
Unlike the above mentioned researches this study was conducted by applying seven ma-
jor criteria with one additional factors and a different topographic nature. Above all this
study takes higher elevation point than the elevation of the last elevated residential site
plus the recommended height of the place by building permits in the study area. In addi-
tion as far as my search is concerned there is no research done in the city regarding grav-
ity distribution water reservoir site selection. That is why the researcher was highly inter-
ested on the issue to find a suitable location for gravity distribution water reservoir for
Dessie City.
4
1.3. Objectives
1.3.1. General Objective

The general objective of the study is to asses proper site for gravity distribution water
reservoir that enables fair water distribution for consumers in Dessie City.
1.3.2. Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are:
1. To identify the major challenges for evenhanded urban water distribution in the study
area
2. To map the most suitable site for gravity distribution water reservoir
3. To evaluate the existing reservoir sites based on the given parameters
4. To identify appropriate water distribution zones in the study area
5. To determine the type of water distribution system that exists in the study area
1.4. Research Questions

 What are the major challenges for evenhanded urban water distribution?
 Where is the most suitable site for gravity distribution water reservoir?
 What suitability level will the existing reservoir sites have?
 What are the appropriate water distribution zones in the study area?
 What types of water distribution system that exists in the study area?
1.5. Significance of the Study

The study provides different information and suggests alternative solutions for the city
government which can be used for decision making to mitigate the problems and improve
urban water supply infrastructure in the city. More specifically, the study have a great
contribution on awareness creation of the local authorities, policy makers and future
researcher to give proper attention for site suitability analysis for gravity distribution water
reservoir site selection as well as any other project in Dessie City. It also uses as an input for
further research work in the study area. More significantly it helps the researcher to fulfill a
master’s degree in geographic information system and remote sensing.
5
1.6. Scope of the Study
The scope of the study benefits the researcher to manage the study in delimited manner.
The study was bounded with spatial and conceptual boundaries to be conducted. There
were so many concepts that were used as a parameter to analyze the suitability of the site
for gravity distribution water reservoir. There are seven major factors that were consid-
ered for the analysis of gravitational water reservoir site selection. These factors were ele-
vation, slope, land use, soil type, distance from rivers, distance from road and distance
from settlement. Furthermore, the focus of the study was grounded concrete gravitational
distribution reservoir site selection and spatially it was delimited in Dessie Metropolitan
city, South Wollo zone of Amhara regional state. The study area will cover the whole ad-
ministrative boundary.
1.7. Limitations
The researcher was highly encountered operational, financial, time and methodological
limitations which were the challenges to the progress of the investigation of the study. The
first challenge was lack of detail manuals about the factors that were used for gravitational
water reservoir site selection. The second limitation was lack of compiled data from the city
administration. The third one was omission of some parameters like water source location
and actual yield and potential due to knowledge gap. The last one was omission of ideas
such the capacity of the reservoir due to lack of time. To minimize these limitations, the
researcher were digging out different datasets and exhaustedly searches and consults
different specialist to select the major factors, extensive observation to gather qualitative
data. But the third and the last limitations were left for further researcher.
1.8. Organization of the Thesis
The organization of the thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter covers the
introduction part which includes background, problem statement, objectives, significance,
scope, limitation and the organization of the study. The second chapter deals with the
related literature review on gravity water distribution site selection, types of water supply
system and related concepts and ideas as well. The third chapter describes about the
description of the study area design or method and materials of the study. The fourth
6
chapter discuss about the results and discussion part of the research. And finally the last
chapter deals about the conclusion and recommendations part and then appendix and
annexes will follows.
7
CHAPTER TWO
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Concepts of Gravitational Distribution of Water
As stated in The Rural Water Supply And Environmental Programme, Amhara Region
Training Manual (Yohannes, 2005) when the distribution reservoir is located at a higher
elevation than the target community, water is supplied with the gravity flow. Such a
system is known to be Gravity Flow Water Distribution System. This method is much
more suitable when the source is the river or impounded reservoir at sufficient height
than the target community (Of & Resources, 2001). Gravity distribution systems take the
advantage of gravity to transport water from a source to a service area located at a lower
elevation. From the intake, water is transported continuously by a transmission line to
one or several storage tanks. In hilly or high altitude regions, water supply is generally
done by the gravity method where there is no control of water pressure in pipelines (Of &
Resources, 2001).
As discussed by (Yohannes, 2005) some advantages of gravity flow water distribution

over the other systems include no pump is required, economical for long-term use and no
energy is required to operate the system as water is conveyed by gravity. On the other
hand high water loss by leakage, not applicable in flat areas and requirement of break
pressure tanks are built at suitable distances to reduce the hydrostatic pressure in the
pipelines are the disadvantages of Gravity Flow Water Distribution System (Of &
Resources, 2001).
The best and more applicable water distribution system in the world is a combination of a
gravity system and a pumping system that is the dual system. In this system, the treated
water is pumped and stored in an elevated reservoir, from where it is supplied to the
consumer by gravity (Yohannes, 2005). Therefore the focal point of the study is the site
where this reservoir can be placed after pumping from the source to distribute in gravity
for the end users.
8
2.2. Application of GIS and RS
2.2.1. Application of GIS for Gravitational Water Reservoir Site Selection
Gravity water distribution reservoir site selection is spatial problem which needs spatial
decision problem solving procedures typically involve a large set of feasible alternatives
(Lakshmi & Steven, 2015). In this research problem of a large number of possible sites
(alternatives) was resolved with spatial analysis by applying seven parameters such as the
choice came only sites that meet these basic criteria for reservoir site selection process.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are powerful tool designed for spatial analysis
which provides functionality to capture, store, query, analyze, display and output geo-
graphic information. As such they have big influence in spatial decision making process.
In this way, we reduced time required for decision making, increased efficiency and qual-
ity in the decision making process by optimizing number of potential sites (Hometel &
City, 2009).
Special emphasis is given to the problems of incorporating subjective influence in the

context of decision making; the expression of uncertainty in establishing the relationship
between evidence and the decision to be made; procedures for the aggregation of evi-
dence in the presence of varying degrees of trade-off between criteria; and procedures for
conflict resolution and conflict avoidance in cases of multiple objective decision prob-
lems (Lakshmi & Steven, 2015).
Therefore in general speaking geographic information system is the powerful tool which
has a Weighted Overly Analysis Tools, dissolve, intersect, union masking, create feature,
theissen polygon create tools inside it to solve the spatial analysis of any site selections
locating on space.
2.2.2. Application of RS for Gravitational Water Reservoir Site Selection
The suitability and status of sites can also be assessed using remote sensing data using
multi-criteria analysis. Extensive multi-temporal spatial data is required for the
management of natural disasters such flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and
landslides (Drake, 2009). Remote sensing provides multi-spectral, and multi temporal
satellite images for accurate mapping. Land use mapping provide basic inventory of land
9
resources. This mapping can be local or regional in scope; it depends on user's objective
and requirement. Application of visual and digital Remote Sensing techniques and
integration of the remotely sensed data in specific layers through the Geographic
Information System (GIS) are used by scientists in management of water resources and
prediction of natural water related hazards like flood and drought (Drake, 2009).
Thus in this research remote sensing data like digital elevation model (DEM) and World
View-2 satellite image were used to derive another dataset like height, slope, river from
DEM and Dessie City shape file, main road features, reservoir site locations, boreholes
and source locations were taken by handheld geographic positioning system (GPS) and
digitized using satellite image.
2.3. Major Challenges of Urban Water Supply
2.3.1 Shortage of Finance

As stated by (Kim & Editors, 2016) financial capacity is the power of everything indeed.
Therefore there should be enough money to the operators which is Dessie City Waste
Water and Water supply office to do everything that is necessary to distribute water
equitably and impartially. But different sources shows that there is shortage of budget
which allocated by the city administration which is also the big challenge in Africa.
According to (UN, 2015) African leaders give less due attention for the suitability and
supply as well as management and operation of water supply systems even they give less
attention to maintain the existing facility. This challenge should be extensively dug out to
check whether it is true in Dessie city or not.
2.3.2 Attitudinal Barriers

It is obvious that in developing countries like Ethiopia, water supply handling and man-
agement is frequently done by the government only which means there is no private ven-
dors unless for sale (Reddy et al., 2014). This is because a fast growing low - income res-
idential community is comprised of diversity of social and ethnic groups which is unable
to fetch water easily. There is a problem of people using water properly that did not go
into our cultural attitudes and wise usage, because the urban population regards water as
a free cheap and renewable resource but it is not (European Commission, 2003).
10
2.3.3 Lack of Commitment
Lack of adequate arrangement on direct coordination between public and private actors
can be institutional barriers to water supply and management (UN, 2015). Some scholars
like Petts (2004), highly agreed with the idea that the fundamental barriers lay in weak
regulation, poor public participation and fragmentary or gaps decision making processes.
These gaps include the difference between government’s hierarchy modes of ruling
against private´s nonhierarchical mode of governance. The difference is caused by the na-
ture of the governments in developing countries being less democratic with the long vast
ideas of top down management (ordering and commanding) whereas private firms be-
lieve in power sharing and accountability. The separations between public and private
sectors in the underlying institutions may discourage private actors to deliver water sup-
ply and management services. On the other hand, the institutional shift from government
to governance brings in the conflict of interests. Governments have general interest to
serve the whole population while private firms have self-interest driven by market and
profit making when providing services. Putting self-interests when delivering water man-
agement services may leave underprivileged group of people such as the poor to be left
unsaved (European Commission, 2003). Therefore there is lack of commitment in man-
aging and supplying the water for urban areas. This brings the water supply difficult and
unmanageable in the world especially in developing countries like Ethiopia and more
specifically in mountainous urban areas like Dessie.
2.3.4 Political Barriers

In developing countries, ruling political party may have influence to local government
administration which affects the character of governance and the type of water supply
management especially while selecting appropriate site selection and management system
which is to be implemented (Kefyalew, 2019). The influence includes the degree of de-
centralization which is the existing relationship between local and central governments,
the form and extent of citizen participation in the public processes of policy making. The
water supply management systems may be susceptible to political interference in which
political interest brings short term benefits. Political influence may also be against priva-
tization of water management services (El- Fadel and Massoud, 2012). Therefore this is-
sue would have been left without giving due attention especially in developing and un-
11
derdeveloped countries. This is mainly because of priority while selecting and maintain-
ing the projects as a whole. This leads to un allocation of enough budget to construct and
install water supply system in the city.
2.3.5 Fast Population Growth

It is confidentially evident that inward migration posed a big challenge for cities in the
world especially in Africa. As Stated in African Development Bank with the integration
of African Commission due to the fast growth of population in African Cities impacts to
unable to supply safe and potable water the citizen (African Commission et al., 2014).
For example according to the report of the bank and the commission over 740 million
people around the world do not have reliable access to clean water, despite the fact that
the Millennium Development Goal for water to halve the proportion of people without
access to safe drinking water in the last decade. It is true in Ethiopia and more
specifically in Dessie city.
2.4. Suitable Site Selection

Equitable water supply distribution and management is an environmental issue that con-
tinues as an urban dilemma still today (Water Distribution Network, 2014). Since the ma-
jority of the global population (over 6 billion) will live in urban environments and inters
urban managers to stress in managing human domestic water supply especially in under
developed nations. According to (UN, 2015) in the center of urban phenomena are the
problems associated with selecting and providing suitable site for municipal services such
as water supply, housing, health care, social services, brings major challenges to engi-
neers, planners and politicians.
Reports shows that in developing counties approximately two thirds of the populations
have no means of access to drinking water UN, 2015). According to (Raza et al., 2018)
even if suitable site selection for many facilities including gravity distribution water
reservoir have been increasingly developed for the urban areas, the system has not been
scaled-up proportionally which led to grossly unbelievable conditions that threaten social
and economic crisis in the developing world.
12
2.5. The Existing Reservoir Sites
According to Dessie City Water Supply and Waste Water Management Department
(DCWWSO, 2014) there are fifteen reservoirs. Twelve reinforced concrete and three ma-
sonry service reservoirs with various capacities and condition are currently give service
for the community. Their storage capacity, years of service and location were listed in the
following table. But the map of these reservoirs was discussed later in chapter four of this
study.
Table 1 Existing Service Reservoir Capacity, location and construction Date
S.N Location Pressure Type and Material Volume Construction Date Condition
Zone
1 Ayteyef 1 Reinforced Concrete 3000 2002 Functional

2 Mengeshagora 1 Reinforced Concrete 120 2004 Functional
3 karaguto 2 Reinforced Concrete 1000 2002 Functional
4 Guba 2 Reinforced Concrete 120 2002 Functional
5 Kedijo new 5 Reinforced Concrete 500 2002 Functional
6 kedijo old 5 Reinforced Concrete 100 1972 Functional
7 Metero 3 Reinforced Concrete 200 2002 Functional
8 Medhanialem 1 Reinforced Concrete 100 1972 Functional
9 Nigusmichael 4 Reinforced Concrete 500 2002 Functional
10 Sire Minch 3 Masonry 100 1972 Functional

11 Segno Gebeya 4 Reinforced Concrete 50 1968 Functional
12 Ager Gizat 1 Masonry 180 1942 Not functional
13 Dawdo 1 Masonry 100 1980 Not functional
14 Yetero 1 Reinforced Concrete 220 2003 Functional
15 Tita 2 Reinforced Concrete 40 2006 Functional
Total 6050
Source: -Dessie City Water Supply Office, 2014 E.C.
2.6. Appropriate Water Distribution Zones

Every water distribution system regardless of size comprised of at least one pressure zone
(Demands et al., 2010). A pressure zone is a distinct area that is supplied by one or more
pressure controlled devices such as water pumping station, pressure reducing station and
water storage or reservoir stations (Swisher, 2012). Most urban areas in the world have
13
more than one water pressure zones in order to supply water for consumers equitably
especially in most mountainous areas (Pune Municipal Corporation, 2014).
The number of pressure zones can be decided on the area, population as well as the
topography of the city. Each pressure zone requires distinct boundaries created by natural
gaps in the distribution system or closed valves ( Pune Municipal Corporation, 2014).
According to Dessie City Water Supply and Waste Water Management Department
(DCWWSO, 2014) there are five pressure zones where four of them connected with more
than one water distribution reservoir sites. On the other hand one pressure zone has only
one reservoir site. This study was conducted to come up with the reason behind the
construction of extension reservoir sites and to create appropriate pressure zone for the
study area.
2.7. Water Distribution System

For efficient distribution system, adequate water pressure is required at various points.
Thus according to (Mekuriaw et al., 2008) depending upon the level of source, topogra-
phy of the area and other local conditions, the water may be forced into distribution sys-
tem by following ways namely pumping system, gravity system and dual or combined
system which mean the pumping system is required to push water from the source to an
elevated gravity distribution water reservoir (Ramamurthy et al., 1994). Let us see one by
one in the following sub sections.
2.7.1 Pumping System

Some authors like (Mekuriaw et al., 2008) mentioned that the pumping distribution sys-
tem of water supply is when treated water is directly into the distribution main out stor -
ing. It may also called pumping without storage system and it needs high lifts pumps
even though it has its own drawbacks like if power supply fails, complete stoppage of
water supply is sudden and expected without warning due to this the method is not gen -
eral used.
2.7.2 Gravity System

When we see gravity flow water distribution systems are reliable and cost effective over
pumping systems as no external power is required to maintain the flow. Generally, as
14
(Mekuriaw et al., 2008) the gravitational networks are designed as branched systems and
in order to maintain their looped configuration the missing links are joined by pipes of
nominal diameters. This approach does not take full advantage of looped configuration
for economy and reliability. Also developed is a criterion for the choice between the
pumping and gravity systems where the elevation difference is marginal. It is hoped that
the algorithm will be useful to engineers engaged in the design of gravity flow water
distribution networks (Mekuriaw et al., 2008).
2.7.3 Combined or Dual System

The dual or combined system is the most common system which treated water is pumped
and stored in an elevated distribution reservoir. As Mekuriaw (Mekuriaw et al., 2008)
states that the gravity and pumping combination system supplies sustainable water to
consumer by action of gravity. According to him the excess water during low demand pe-
riods get stored in reservoir and get supplied during high demand period which more eco-
nomical and efficient reliable system especially for mountainous areas like Dessie which
is the study area.
2.8. Major Factors for Gravity Distributions Water Reservoir Site Selection
Obviously it is understood that before any project is going to implement there should be a
site selection step by designing a certain criteria depending on the type of project
(Abdalla et al., 2017). Based on the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of Germany stated
under (Climate & Initiative, 2014) handbook documents there are at least seven basic
categories of site selection parameters for gravity distribution water reservoir, and offers
suggested evaluation criteria for ranking them. Most of the parameters are applicable to
every site (Abdalla et al., 2017).
In addition, according to (Mekuriaw et al., 2008) Weighting factor ranks the relative
importance of each of the parameters in selecting the sites. Constant or varying weighting
factors can also be applied. Thus, detail and precision in selecting the parameters is
important for an effective and successful evaluation. These parameters were including
elevation, slope, soil type, land use, distance from road, distance from river and distance
from settlement or built up area. Indeed to select a site fulfilling a certain criteria needs
15
the following procedures such as site selection parameters, steps in site selection and
analysis of evaluation results (Climate & Initiative, 2014).
2.8.1 Physical Factors
2.8.1.1 Slope
As stated in Amhara National Regional State Water Resource Development Bureau water
Rural Water supply manual (Dar, 2010) the site selection for the gravity distribution wa-
ter reservoir should be on stable ground, which will not be threatened by landslide or ero -
sion. Since elevation is the most invaluable criteria for gravity distribution water reser-
voir site selection an areas whose slope is not very steep or not flat are highly recom-
mended for the location of reservoir site. Indeed gradual or average steepness is accept-
able for development of any construction. This is due to the fact that too steep of a slope
would make it difficult to construct and maintain and too flat of a slope would affect the
gravity water distribution system and seeks pumping pressure (Goskel, et al., 2016). Ac-
cording to him places with gradual sloping is a highly acceptable for locating any con-
struction site in order to use gravity for distribution. Most parts of Dessie City's steepness
are less than 15%. Therefore, the study area will be evaluated based on this criteria
whether it is highly suitable or not suitable at all in this regard.
2.8.1.2 Elevation
As we all know the city of Dessie is located in between Azwa hill and Tossa Mountain
which needs special attention for construct any project. Elevation is one of the most
prime parameters to be considered while selecting and evaluating any project before it is
going to implement. As stated in Amhara National Regional State Water Resource
Development Bureau Rural water supply manual (Yohanes, 2005) the gravity distribution
water reservoir must be placed at a height of greater than the height of the last highest
building site. This height must include the height of building itself locating in the city
based on the structural plan and building permit manual to keep the pressure and head
losses of the pipelines in order to supply water equitably.
16
2.8.1.3 Soil Type
According to Amhara National Regional State Water Resource Development Bureau wa-
ter Rural Water supply manual (Dar, 2010) the site selection for the gravity distribution
water reservoir should be on stable ground, which will not be threatened by landslide or
erosion. Thus soils with a high percentage of clay particles (but which are workable in
wet conditions) are generally the preferred soil type, impermeable strata and consolidated
material are suitable for construction of reservoirs as they do not allow any land slide
movement and hence minimize the risk of water reservoir damages which in turn mini-
mize the risk of flooding and contamination from leachate. As of (Ismail, et al 2016), soil
with high rate of permeability (Sand, Sandstones, Gravel, Limestone) are considered un-
suitable for construction while soils with medium rate of permeability (Silt, Granites,
Siltstones) and low rate permeability (clay, mudstones, gneisses, pebbly clay) are consid-
ered suitable. The soil type that have less porous, less infiltration into ground like clay
soil types will be the most preferred for construction which means suitable for gravity
distribution water reservoir site to control pollution of water and to minimize cost of con-
struction (Ismail, et al., 2016).
2.8.1.4 Distance from River

So as to avoid land slide and erosion as well as pollution of waters due to the presence of
rivers, gorges or streams, a gravity distribution water reservoir must be located at as far
as possible away from hydrological items. As stated by Berisa & Birhanu (2016) on suit-
able site selection for reservoir, it is recommended that 200 meter, as a minimum distance
which any big construction could be located away from the nearby river. In consideration
of the local context, a 200 meter minimum distance buffer zone will be used in this re-
search. Those areas located within this buffer distance are unsuitable as their under-
ground water level is high and higher discharge and greater downstream influence. The
interval suitability distances are much dependent up on others factors like topography,
but 200 meter is accepted generally as suitable for construction site as there will be
marginally exposure of water bodies for ground water contamination (Berisa & Birhanu,
2016).
17
2.8.2 Socio Economic Factors
2.8.2.1 Distance from Road

Road network and accessibility is one of the important parameters given due considera-
tion in locating suitable site for a reservoir (Tsykalo, 2020). Road network provides link-
age between the settlements, factories and industrial areas, which are all source for pro-
duction to the remotely located water supply sites (Ramamurthy et al., 1994).
Cost of transport, efficiency and effectiveness of water management system can signifi-
cantly influenced by the roads networks. Based on Amhara National Regional State Wa-
ter Resource Development Bureau water Rural Water supply manual (Dar, 2010) the suit-
able gravity distribution water reservoir should be situated on the minimum distance to
roads as much as possible which is not more than 500 meter buffer zone, where those ar-
eas located far more than 500 are considered as not suitable and labeled as constraint for
site selection. Sites near 500 meters are considered as suitable for a gravity distribution
water reservoir placement (Bureau, 2019).
2.8.2.2 Land Use

Land use describes the physical state of the earth's surface and immediate subsurface in
terms of the natural environment (such as vegetation, soils, and surfaces and ground wa-
ter) and the man-made structures (e.g. buildings) and the term Land use itself is the hu-
man employment of a land-cover type (Malczewski, 2011) aim of site selection analysis
is to identify the best site for some activity given the set of potential (feasible) sites there -
fore land-use suitability analysis aims are to identify the most appropriate spatial pattern
for future land uses according to specified requirements, preferences, or predictors of
some activity (Malczewski, 2011).
To identify the best site for gravity distribution water reservoir must be near to built up
area. And also it should not be located too far away from road causes that will increase
costs significantly (Goskel, et al., 2016). Unlike others criteria, whose suitability will be
determined based on some commonly accepted distance, here the natural value of a land
plays an important role in determining the site. The lower the natural value of a given
land use what so ever type of use being serving will be given more priority to be chosen
as a gravity distribution water reservoir site. This criteria seems a bit subjective that the
18
others. (Goskel, et al., 2016) have summarized his argument as ''The criterion classifies
the area in five classes: urbanized areas, agricultural areas, forests, wetlands, and hydro-
logical network. In consideration to study area's land use/land cover natural values, suit-
able sites for gravity distribution water reservoir should be located near to settlement
(built up areas ) but it should be in the low-density population areas, agricultural areas,
bush land /or forest land and on open areas.'' Therefore the site must be far from wet-
lands, water bodies, cemeteries, religious places, schools, health facilities, and built up ar-
eas as well.
2.8.2.3 Distance from Settlement and Built Up Areas
In addition to the natural resources, social service sites, places where people gather and
do their day to day activities are also among the sensitive sites and settlements need care-
ful planning in water supply process. Some of the most common social services centers
are health center and schools. Therefore a buffer distance from the social service sites
should be considered in treatment plant planning. According to (Berisa & Birhanu 2016)
200 meter buffer distance from a residence is taken as an appropriate distance to identify
areas that are rejected in the analysis part of this research.
Based on the guideline Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2015) for land-use
planning the whole suitability classification of the resulting suitability maps would be
categorized into five suitability classes of the resulting maps ranging from highly suitable
(5) Suitable (4), Moderately Suitable (3), Less Suitable (2), Unsuitable (1).Finally, a
Model for the analysis would be created in the Arc Toolbox in Arc Map that is named by
Suitable gravity distribution water reservoir site and finally all the prepared maps will be
analyzed in this new model (Berisa & Birhanu 2016).
The measurement scale of land use map and the rest are different i.e. while the land use
map has a discrete values, the rest will have a continuous or floating value. Therefore, the
datasets will be ready for weighted overlay analysis if they had a common measurement
of scale called suitability scale. With this, each datasets that had been floating are reclas -
sified and discrete values have been given for each value in each map. Therefore, reclas -
sify tool will be used to reclassify the datasets based on the predefined criteria. The suit -
19
ability values range from extremely high to least and not suitable areas and a summation
of the values for every raster cell will be calculated.
The reclassification values used ranged from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most suitable for
sites for gravity distribution water reservoir construction, 4, 3 and 2 will be listed as low
and 1 for very low suitable for locating a site respectively. The higher class value, the
higher the suitability for choosing a given land for a a desired project site. The area that
will not fall within 1- 5 reclassified groups will be reclassified as No Data.
20
CHAPTER THREE
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of the Study Area
3.1.1. Location
The study area is found in Amhara National Regional State which is currently serving as
a capital of South Wollo Administrative Zone. It is one of the oldest urban centers in
Ethiopia which was founded in 1893 by King Michael (AMP, 2020). It is relative
location is a well- known northeast trade center and the people in the town is known for
being well-come recipients and respecting guests. It is 401km far from Addis Ababa.
The absolute location of the study area is in between latitude of 11º5'0"to
11º14'0"Northand a longitude of 39º30'30" to 39º42'30" East.
Source: My Own Illustration, 2022

Figure 1 Location Map of the Study Area
21
3.1.2.Topography of the city
As mentioned in Dessie City Infrastructure Asset Management Study the topography of
the town is mountainous and situated at the foot of Tossa Mountain with a high elevation
difference of 2118 to 3030 meter above mean sea label (AMP, 2020).This makes very
difficult for physical economic and social infrastructure development especially for
gravity water reservoir site selection. Because it requires a high quality with high
pressure pump to push and fed the reservoir wherever it is placed. The city has 168
square kilometer area coverage and 409.66 kilometer road network system with all
physical surface types (i.e. Asphalt, cobblestone, gravel, compacted earth and large block
stone (AMP, 2020).
Source: - My Illustration, 2022

Figure 2 Elevation Map of the Study Area
3.1.3. Population of the city

Demographically, according to CSA (2007), the city had 151, 094 residents in ten
kebeles. After 15 years in 2022 the survey shows that the city has 385,965 residents
22
(Dessie City Administrative Office, 2014). As of the Vital Event Registration Core
Process there are three major factors for this dramatic increment of the population. The
first is the incorporation of six vast rural kebeles to the city administration and the second
is rural urban migration and the third is the vast gap after the last census of the population
in the country as whole (Dessie City Administrative Office, 2014).Therefore it is
mandatory to construct a new well-planned and designed water reservoir to distribute
water equitably.

Figure 3 Population Density Map of the Study Area
23
3.1.4. Temperature of the City
According to traditional climatic classification, the temperature of the study area ranges
from moderate to high (AMP, 2020). The minimum average temperature being about
10.770c, as of the city which mostly occurs from November to January and the maximum
average temperature is about 18.450c which mostly occurs from May to July. Generally,
the average temperature of the area falls within the range of comfortable temperature for
habituation, which is 22.10c.
Monthly Temperature Distribution of Dessie City

Temperature in C°
Maximum Temprature
Minimum Temprature
Average Temprature
Months
Source: - My Own Illustration, 2022

Figure 4 Monthly Temperature Distribution of the Study Area
3.1.5. Rain Fall of the City

As shown in the following figure the city has two rainy seasons, the major rainy season is
summer that starts in July and ends in September and the other rainy season is belg that
starts in March and ends in May. Generally, the average annual rain fall of the study area
is 1199 millimeter.
24
Average Monthly Rainfall Distribution of Dessie City
Rainfall in mm
Monthly Rainfall
Months
Source: - My Own Illustration, 2022

Figure 5 Average Annual Rainfall of the Study Area
3.1.6. Soil Types of the City

Based on the soil map produced by Geological Survey of Ethiopia (2022) and derived by
the researcher, the study area has four major soil types which are Cambisol, regosols, ver-
itsol and leptosol. The dominant area of the study is covered with leptosol with 141.77
square kilometer (84.39%) followed by regosols with the area of 22.23 square kilometer
(13.23%). These two major soil types cover about164 square kilometers which is 97.62%
of the total area of the city. But according to FAO (2009) these two most suitable soil
types for construction are eurtic cambisol and eurtic leptosol. Therefore site outside of
these soil range are not recommended.
25
Figure 6 Soil Map of the Study Area
3.1.7. Economic Activity

According to the report from city administration Finance and Economic Development
Office the dominant economic activity in the study area is trade. Urban agriculture is also
the supplementary source of income especially for the rural kebele residents of the city
(Dessie City Administrative Office, 2014).
26
3.2. Methods
Source: My Own Illustration, 2022
Desktop Study & Literature Review
Selection of Factor Criteria

Used
Criteria
DEM Structural Plan Soil Type
Derived Datasets
Elevation Slope River Road Settlement Land Use
Buffering/Proximity Analysis
Elevation Raster Layer Slope Raster Layer
Vector to Raster Conversion
Reclassified Elevation Raster Layer

Reclassified
Reclassified Slope Raster Layer River RasterReclassified
Layer Road Raster
Reclassified
Layer SettlementReclassified
Raster LayerLand Use Reclassified
Raster LayerSoil Raster Laye
Pair-wise Comparison Weighted Overlay

(AHP)
Create Pressure Zone
(Thiessen Polygon)
Validation of Sites Suitability Map Digitizing
Most Suitable Map
Figure 7 Flow Chart for Research Methodology
27
3.3. Research Design
This study employed a descriptive type of research design (i.e. Case Study). This research
type focuses on describing characteristics, specific predictions, and narration of facts about a
situation. It is more appropriate to describe, identify, and analyze, overlays, and evaluate the
existing water distribution reservoirs, boreholes and water supply types and suitability based
on a given criteria.
Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to achieve the objectives of the
research, because qualitative approach is more concerned with the understanding of the
people knowledge, attitudes, and experiences and beliefs while quantitative approach is
concerned to generate statistics through the use of weighted overlay analysis. So the nature
of the study was mostly demands quantitative type and less qualitative types of data from
both primary and secondary sources.
3.4.Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
Since Remote Sensing data are samples of a portion of land surface this research were
used a digital elevation model (DEM) and satellite image of the city as a whole by
masking with the current city boundary. On the other hand Dessie city Waste Water and
Water Supply Office has the total customers of 31,557 (DCWWSO, 2014). By taking the
location of these customers as a point data to gather additional information, this study
was used the sample size by determining using simplified sampling formula (Oakland,
1953) as follows. Where n = the desired sample size, N = the population and e = the
level of precision at 95 percent confidence interval which means = 394.6667 and we
have a sample size of 395 customers sites as a spatial point data.
After populating the whole customer locations on remotely sensed world view-2 image the
395 points were selected by employing non probability judgmental sampling method to
gather available information from respective households that exist in a variety of elevations
within the city. Here, the information gathered from those customer locations by
observations was used to get supplementary information about the distribution of water with
different elevation.
28
3.5.Data Sources
3.5.1. Primary Data Source

Data collected from interviews, filed observations, GPS data and other relevant books,
working papers, previous researches, reports, websites; unpublished materials and other
related documents from different offices of the city administration were used as ancillary
data.
3.5.2. Secondary Data Source

Remotely sensed satellite image data from world view-2 which bought for structural plan
preparation will be collected from Dessie City Administration structural plan office and
digital elevation model (DEM) from United States Geological Survey freely. Geographic
Information System data layers, shape files, topographic maps census and organizational
records and other will be used.
3.6. Methods of Data Collection Instruments

This case study will use the following data collection techniques:-
Remote Sensing: - This research were used high spatial and spectral resolution remotely
sensed data from world-view-2 which is available in Dessie City Administration structural
plan project office because worldview-2 image is highly suitable to get the appropriate
sample for detail analysis. In addition a digital elevation model (DEM) data were
downloaded from USGS to drive slope, height and river raster datasets.
Interview: -Unstructured interview data collection technique was applied for selected
individuals by using purposive (judgmental) sampling technique, because the justification of
using interview method is that it helps to fill the limitation of data which cannot be collected
using remote sensing, GPS and observation (for example standards of water supply systems
in Amhara Region) and also to increase the quality of the study. Questions were prepared to
the waste water and water supply office manager, 4 branch managers, 2 core process owners
and 10 household heads which are key informants. In addition one ranked question was
prepared and gather information about the level of challenges to put on.
Observation:-The researcher were used personal field visit to observe the actual situation of
the site regarding existing reservoirs, boreholes, wells and water meters in the yard.
29
Using Geographical Positioning System (GPS):- Ground truth or points of relevant
sites were collected using Garmin 72H hand held GPS to incorporate valuable
information and for accuracy assessment after the suitability map was produced.
3.7. Materials
3.7.1. Datasets
The major datasets used in this study were Digital Elevation Model (DEM), soil type and
structural plan of Dessie City. Whereas the derived datasets were height or elevation,
Slope and river from digital elevation model (DEM) and land use, road and settlement or
built up area were derived from structural plan of the city. Other supplementary datasets
like Dessie boundary shape file, Dessie.tif image (World-View 2), existing reservoir
Datasets, Customer location point datasets were used. The following table summarizes
the datasets used in this study.
Table 2 Datasets for this study
Datasets Resolution Application Source

(m)
DEM 30cmx30c To extract United States Geological Survey
m slope, http://glcfapp.umiacs.umd.edu:8080/esdi/
contour, index.jsp
height,
rivers, least
cost path
World-View 30 To digitize United States Geological Survey
cmx30cm points of http://glcfapp.umiacs.umd.edu:8080/esdi/
boreholes, index.jsp
sampled
customer
locations,
existing
reservoirs
30
Dessie City Vector To know Dessie City Land Administration Office
Structural Plan Data where the
existing
facilities,
restricted
areas and
suitable area
and to
extracted the
valuable
information
like road
centerlines,
settlement or
built up area
with
recommende
d building
heights and
Dessie
boundary
Boreholes and Vector Boreholes Dessie City Waste Water and Water Supply
Reservoirs Data will be used Office
as a ground
water source
location
during the
least cost
path analysis
and Existing
reservoirs
31
sites will be
used to
compare
them with the
new suitable
site
Soil Dataset Vector To extract Ethiopian Mapping Agency (EMA)
Data information
about soil
type which is
suitable for
both least
cost path and
reservoir site
selection
3.7.2. Software
This research was used software like ArcGIS 10.8.1 (None licensed), SPSS 22, Easy
GPS data downloader and hardware like GPS Garmin 72H, digital Camera, laptop
computer to analyze and processing the data. The following table summarizes the
major software and materials which will be used in this study.
Table 3 Software and materials
Software and materials Functions

SPSS 22 To encode and analyze statistical (especially
quantitative) data
ArcGIS 10.8.1 To organize, process and analyze spatial data
Microsoft Word 2016 To write and edit the whole document
Microsoft Excel 2016 To analyze statistical (quantitative) data
GPS Garmin 72H To capture Sampled Customer locations and
existing Reservoir to assess their location
32
accuracy
Digital Camera To take a picture during physical observation
Computer To do all the necessary activities regarding
this thesis
3.8. Method of Data Analysis

After data were gathered, and pre-processing was made relevant statistical methods of
analysis was used in order to come up with the appropriate result. In analyzing the data, both
qualitative and quantitative data analysis were employed depending on the nature of the
data. Qualitative data were analyzed by content or thematic analysis of using words in
narrative statements and textual description. While quantitative data were analyzed by using
weighted overlay analysis using ArcGIS, 10.8.1, Microsoft excels 2016 and SPSS 22. Based
on the above mentioned parameters in the scoping part of this research the following site
suitability modeling for gravity distribution water reservoir site was made to facilitate the
weighted overlay analysis process.
3.8.1. Digitizing
One of the functions of geographical information system (GIS) is to use it to develop
features classes such as boundary shape file, soil class from soil map and others were
produced using digitizing tool in arc map. Therefore water pressure zonation was
digitized to reshape the thiessen polygon. According to (Lakshmi & Steven, 2015) this
tool is used to divide the area covered by the input polygon features into Thiessen or
proximal zones with the help input point features. These zones represent full areas where
any location within the zone is closer to its associated input point than to any other input
point.
3.8.2. Buffering
According to (Lakshmi & Steven, 2015) buffering is the process of delineating an area
around an object most often defined as a simple Euclidian distance (a straight-line dis-
tance as the crow flies). Essentially all mapped features in both the vector and raster GIS
environments which needs were buffered. The feature which was created can be a circle
around a point, a polygon around both line and polygon (Lakshmi & Steven, 2015).
33
Based on this idea this study the following three feature datasets needs buffering or prox-
imity analysis around the vector dataset especially for river, road and settlement areas.
3.8.2.1. River Buffering

The River criterion is important the view of environmental and economic concerns due to
land slide and pollution. Hence, water reservoir should not be located near surface water
body. The river of the study area was generated from digital elevation model of the study
area after masking (DEM) in GIS environment. According to (Berisa &Birhanu, 2016)
200 meter buffer distance is quite far for construction of the reservoir. Therefore to avoid
land slide, erosion as well as pollution of waters due to the presence of rivers, gorges or
streams, a gravity distribution water reservoir must be located at as far as possible away
from hydrological items.
Those areas located within this buffer distance are unsuitable as their underground water
level is high and higher discharge and greater downstream influence. The interval suit-
ability distances are much dependent up on others factors like topography, but 200 meter
is accepted generally as suitable for construction site as there was marginally exposure of
water bodies for ground water contamination (Berisa &Birhanu, 2016).
34
Source: Desk Work, August 2022
Figure 8 River Buffer Distance
3.8.2.2. Road Buffering

Road network and accessibility is one of the important parameters given due considera-
tion in locating suitable site for a reservoir (Tsykalo, 2020). Road network provides link-
age between the settlements, factories and industrial areas, which are all source for pro-
duction to the remotely located water supply sites(Ramamurthy et al., 1994).
Cost of transport, efficiency and effectiveness of water management system can

significantly influenced by the roads networks. Based on Amhara National Regional State
Water Resource Development Bureau water Rural Water supply manual (Dar, 2010) the
suitable gravity distribution water reservoir should be situated on the minimum distance
to roads as much as possible which is not more than 500 meter buffer zone, where those
areas located far more than 500 are considered as not suitable and labeled as constraint
for site selection. Sites near 500 meters are considered as suitable for a gravity
distribution water reservoir placement (Bureau, 2019).
35
36
Figure 9 Road Buffer Distance
3.8.2.3. Settlement Buffering

Built up area is an important view point of environmental criterion in the water reservoir
site selection. It also includes different services of study area such as commercial area,
settlement, school, religious institutions, educational institutions, health centers,
governmental and private institution and other social services area. Therefore a buffer
distance from the all social service sites should be considered in site selection. According
to (Berisa & Birhanu 2016) 200 meter buffer distance from a residence is taken as an
appropriate distance to identify areas that are rejected in the analysis part of this research.
37
Figure 10 Settlement Buffer Distance
3.8.3. Conversion
While manipulating and analyzing data, the same format should be used for all data
(Lakshmi & Steven, 2015). When different layers are to be used simultaneously, they
should all be in vector or all in raster format. According to (Point et al., 2016) usually the
conversion is from vector to raster, because the biggest part of the analysis is done in the
raster domain and vector data are transformed to raster data by overlaying a grid with a
user-defined cell size. Sometimes the data in the raster format are converted into vector
38
format. This is the case especially if one wants to achieve data reduction because the data
storage needed for raster data is much larger than for vector data (Point et al., 2016)
Remote-sensing images are digital datasets recorded by satellite operating agencies and
stored in their own image database. They usually have to be converted into the format of
the spatial (raster) database before they can be downloaded (Lakshmi & Steven, 2015).
Therefore in this research to make a good spatial analysis there was a conversion from
feature to raster datasets for five feature classes. These were distance from road, distance
from river, and distance from settlements, land use and soil type feature datasets.
39
Figure 11 River Raster
40
Figure.12 Road Raster
41
Figure.13 Settlement Raster
42
Figure 14 Land Use Raster
Figure 15 Soil Type Raster
43
3.8.4. Reclassification
It is obvious that to make any spatial analysis using geographic information system there
has to be a reclassification. According to Levey and Benenson reclassification involves
the selection and presentation of a selected layer of data based on the classes or values of
a specific attribute (Levy & Benenson, 2015). It involves looking at an attribute, or a
series of attributes, for a single data layer and classifying the data layer based on the
range of values of the attribute.
The above mentioned authors agreed that based on the number of classes before and after
the classification, three types of classifications can be differentiated namely one to one
where the number of classes before is the same as the number of classes after the
classification process which means there are no changes in the geometry of the spatial
objects, they have been re-assigned. And many to one where the number of classes after
the classification is smaller than the number of classes before the process and
generalization, aggregation, merging was possible. The last is one to many where the
number of classes after the classification process is more than the those before the
classification when in vector format spatial objects are split in different objects while in
raster format unique identifications are assigned to each pixel in the output map(Levy &
Benenson, 2015).
In this research all factors or parameters elevation, slope, soil and land use (after
conversion), road distance, distance from settlement and distance from river (after
buffering)were reclassified to become in the same level in cell size and rank order.
44
Figure 16 Elevation Classification
45
Figure 17 Slope Classification
46
Figure 18 Land Use Classification
47
Figure 19 Road Classification
48
Figure 20 River Classification
49
Figure 21 Settlement Classification
50
Figure 22 Soil Classification
51
3.8.5. Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP)
Identification of suitable sites for the gravity distribution water reservoir was carried out
by considering the elevation, slope, land use, distance from road, distance from river, dis-
tance from settlement and soil type comparison factors. Each suitability factors was first
analyzed and finally weighted to get suitable site. The weights were arranged by provid-
ing a series of pair-wise comparisons of the relative rank of factors to the suitability of
pixels for the activity being evaluated. The logic developed by (Bashe, 2017) study was
used to produce weights under the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with a weighted
linear combination. It was carried out by applying a weight to each parameter, which was
followed by a summation of results to get a suitability map. In pair-wise comparison,
each factor was corresponding head-to-head (one-to-one) with each other, and a pair-wise
comparison matrix was prepared to express the relative importance.
According to (Saaty, 2008) if the consistency ratio (CR) value is much more than 0.1, the
judgment during pair-wise is unreliable because they are too closes for randomness.
By providing a fundamental scale for calculating pair-wise comparison a matrix of the
criteria layers involves a structure of matrix where each criterion is compared with the
other criteria relative to its importance, on a scale of 1 to 9. Therefore scale 1 shows
equal preference between a pair of criteria layers whereas 9 shows a particular criteria
layer is extremely favored over the other during expert judgment (Saaty & Vargas,
1998).
Table 4 The Fundamental Scale for Pair-Wise Comparison Matrix (Saaty 1998)
Intensity of
importance Definition Explanation
1 Equal importance Two activities contribute equally to the objective

Moderate importance of one Experience and judgment strongly favor one ac-
3 over the other tivity over another
Essentials of strong impor- Experience and judgment strongly favor one ac-
5 tance tivity over another
An activity is strongly favored and its dominance

7 Very strong importance demonstrated in the practice
52
The evidence favoring one activity over another is
9 Extreme importance of the highest possible order of affirmation
Intermediate value between
2,4,6,8 the two adjacent judgment When compromise is need
Recipro- Values of inverse compari- inverse of the first to the other
cals son activity
A scale of importance was divided from a value of 1 to 9 (Table 4). The column factors
were compared with the factors in the rows for their importance to gravity distribution
water reservoir site selection. Then, a pair-wise comparison matrix was prepared. After
the pair-wise comparison matrices were filled, the weights of the factors were calculated
by normalizing the respective eigenvector. The Principal Eigen Value (λ-max) was esti-
mated by multiplying each element of the priority vector and column totals. Priority vec-
tor or weight also estimated by taking the mean value of the rows.
λmax = ƩCi×Wj ………………….(1)
Where Ci is column totals, λmax is Principal Eigen Value and Wj =the priority vectors
which is obtained by computing the mean values of the rows. Then λmax is 7.61. The
purpose for doing this is to make sure that original preference rating were consistent.
………………………… (2)
Where:
CI = Consistency index, and
n = is the number of factors that we use for weighted overlay analysis which is in this.
Then Consistency index (CI) is equal to (7.61-7)/7-1which is0.61/6 = 0.10
It also produce consistency ratio (CR) that serves as a measure of logical inconsistency of
expert/ user judgment during pair-wise criteria cooperation, in practice a CR of 0.1 or be-
low is considered acceptable and it measured using the equation below.
CR = ….…….………………………… (3)
Where:-
CR = Consistency Ratio and
53
RI = Random Consistency Index (It is given from literature). Then Consistency Ratio is
equal to 0.10/ (1.35 from the table below) = 0.07 which is acceptable.
Table 5 Random Consistency Index
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RI 0.00 0.00 0.52 0.89 1.11 1.25 1.35 1.40 1.45 1.49
Source: random inconsistency index for n=7 (Saaty, 1980)
3.8.6. Weighted Overlay

After reclassifying the whole parameters the next and final process were overlaying those
maps to come up with a suitable map. For this study, weighted overlay analysis was used
for overlaying each input layer such as, elevation, soil type, distance from river, land-use,
distance from road, slope and distance from settlement to come up with the intersection
point which is suitable with all criteria.
Multi-criteria weighted-overlay analysis is the process of allocating areas based on a vari-

ety of attributes that the selected areas should possess. Although this is a common GIS
operation and it performs in the raster space using a grid-based approach. Suitability
Analysis describes the search for locations or areas that are characterized by a combina-
tion of certain properties. The result of a suitability analysis is a suitability map. It show
which locations or areas are suitable for specific use in the form of a thematic map. In the
simplest case of decision support with GIS, locations or areas can be found to meet or op-
timize multiple criteria for one specific objective.
Multi Criteria Decision Making is a method that combines alternative´s performance

across numerous, contradicting, qualitative and/or quantitative criteria and results in a so-
lution. There are several available multi criteria decision methods but for this study Ana-
lytic hierarchy process was used.
Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to calculate weights for the criteria maps. It is
a method for analyzing complex decisions by breaking them into pair-wise alternatives
(Saaty, 2008). An Analytic hierarchy process plug in tool for the ArcGIS environment
which used to compute weights for the different criteria layers (Zolekar & Bhagat, 2015).
54
After computation of weights for each raster layer using Analytic hierarchy process
weighted overlay analysis (WOA) is done on an ArcGIS environment. Weighted overlay
is an intersection of standardized and differently weighted layers during suitability analy-
sis (Zolekar & Bhagat, 2015) .The weights indicates the relative importance of suitability
criteria considered. The suitability scores assigned for the sub-criteria within each criteria
layer multiplied with the weights assigned for each criterion to calculate the final suitabil-
ity map using the weighted overlay analysis technique.
………………..………… (4)
Where:
S = the total suitability score
Wi= the weight of the selected suitability criteria layer,
Xi = the assigned sub criteria score of suitability criteria layer
i and n is the total number of suitability criteria layer (Pramanik, 2016) . On weighted
overlay analysis value filed tells the suitability S1 for highly suitable, S2 suitable, S3
moderately suitable, S4 less suitable and N is not suitable on scale value select score of
each suitability factors and on the % influence dialog box insert the weight of each fac-
tors and sum should be 100.
3.9. Factors or Variable Selection
In this study both dependent and independent variables were used. Independent variables
include elevation, slope, soil type, land use, distance from rivers, distance from road and
distance from settlement while the dependent variables is suitable site.
Table 6 Factor used to obtain gravity distribution water reservoir site selection
Table Factors, their Classes and Rating Values
Rank-
Factors Classification Suitability ing
2726-2878 Very High 5
2574-2726 High 4
Elevation (m) 2422-2574 Moderate 3
2270-2422 Low 2
2118-2270 Very Low 1
55
>40 Very High 5
26-39 High 4
Slope (%) 15-26 Moderate 3
7-15 Low 2
0-7 Very Low 1
0-500 Very High 5
501-1000 High 4
Distance from Road (m) 1501-2000 Moderate 3
2001-2500 Low 2
2501-3000 Very Low 1
0-200 Very Low 1
201-400 Low 2
Distance from River (m) 401-600 Moderate 3
601-800 High 4
>801 Very High 5
0-200 Very High 5
201-400 High 4
Distance from Settlement (m) 401-600 Moderate 3
601-800 Low 2
>801 Very Low 1
Eurtic Cambisol Very High 5
Eurtic Leptosol High 4
Soil Type Eurtic Regosol Moderate 3
Eurtic Vertisol Low 2
Lithic Leptosol Very Low 1
Land Use Open space,
agricultural land
and forest Very High 5
Urban expan- High 4
sion and green
areas
56
Reserved area
and mixed land
use (no built up) Moderate 3
Pure residence,
administration
and recreational
areas Low 2
Water bodies,
special function
and business ar-
eas Very Low 1
Source: My Illustration by adapting from different experts, and manuals, June, 2022
3.10. Method of Validation

The identified gravity distribution water reservoir site using Geographical Information
System and Remote Sensing techniques needs to be validated and
compared with the existing reservoir sites by taking ground truth data. In this study the
dominant factor was elevation which holds 57% of the weight followed by slope and
land use that accounts (10%) equally influence the suitability of the selected site.
Therefore for validation purpose a total of 6 points were collected using 72H handheld
GPS from the newly selected sites and observation was made. After the data was
received in a Microsoft Excel file and imported onto Arc Map 10.8.1 and create a shape
file for all points and compared with the existing highest elevation of the residents as well
as the existing reservoir sites. Therefore, the produced map of the study area was
validated with the existing difference of elevation and by overlaying on Google earth as
well as on world view satellite image of the study area.
57
CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Results
4.1.1. Determinant Factors of Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection
4.1.1.1 Elevation
Even though the elevation of the study area ranges from 2118 meter (the lowest point) to
3030 meter (highest point) above mean sea level, elevation from 2879 to 3030 was
eliminated for the purpose of cost minimization which incurs to bust water from the
source to the cliff of Tossa Mountain. The most suitable height covers 222.99 hectare
(2.12%) and found in mainly in the western part of the city. There is also a significant
area in the northern and north east part of the study areas. The suitable area is also
accounts about 3100.14 hectare (29.46%) which dominantly found in the northern parts
of the study area. The following figure is best illustrates the elevation suitability in the
study area.
Source: My Illustration September, 2022
Figure 23 Elevation Suitability Map of the Study Area
58
Table 7 Area Coverage of Elevation Suitability
Criteria value (in me- Coverage

Factor ter) Suitability Area (ha) (%) Ranking
Most Suit-
2726-2878 able 222.99 2.12 5
2574-2726 Suitable 3100.14 29.46 4
Elevation 2422-2574 Moderate 5235.47 49.75 3
(m) Less Suit-
2270-2422 able 1941.93 18.45 2
Not Suit-
2118-2270 able 22.79 0.22 1
Total 10523.33
Source: Desk Analysis, August 2022
4.1.1.2. Slope
As stated in Amhara National Regional State Water Resource Development Bureau water
Rural Water supply manual (Dar, 2010) the site selection for the gravity distribution
water reservoir should be on stable ground, which is not threatened by landslide or
erosion. The topography of the study area is dominated with slope of 0-15% which
accounts 13168.74 hectare (74.85%) of the total area within an elevation range of 2118
and 2900 above mean sea level. This range accounts both less suitable and not suitable
area of the Dessie City.
As we have seen in the following table the most suitable and suitable range of the slope
holds 749 (4.26%) and 1248.8 (7.10%) respectively. Generally slopes greater than 40%
within the selected range of elevation is the most suitable one. This most suitable slope is
found where the most suitable elevation is located on the study area.
59
Figure 24 Slope Suitability Map of the Study Area
Table 8 Area Coverage of Slope Suitability
Coverage
Factor Criteria value (in %) Suitability Area (ha) (%) Ranking
0-7 Not Suitable 7551.39 42.92 1
7-15 Less Suitable 5617.35 31.93 2

15-26 Moderate 2427.19 13.80 3
26-39 Suitable 1248.8 7.10 4

Slope
(%) >40 Most Suitable 749 4.26 5
17,593.7
Total 3 100.00
60
4.1.1.3. Land Use
As we mentioned in the literature part of this study consideration of land use for suitable
sites of gravity distribution water reservoir should be located away from settlement (built
up areas ). It should be in the low-density population areas, agricultural areas, bush
land /or forest land and on open areas and it must be far from wetlands, water bodies,
cemeteries, religious places, schools, health facilities, and built up areas as well. Based on
the above fact the following table (table 9) showed about the suitability of land use in the
study area.
Figure 25 Land Use Suitability Map of the Study Area
Table 9 Area Coverage of Land Use Suitability
Factor Criteria Value Suitabilit Area Coverage Ranking

y (Ha) (%)
Land Use Open space, agricultural Most 10714.00 60.45 5
Suitable
land and forest
61
Urban expansion and green Suitable 1648.40 9.30 4
areas
Reserved area and mixed Moderate 1352.63 7.63 3

land use (no built up)
Pure residence, Less 2833.47 15.99 2

Suitable
administration and
recreational areas
Water bodies, special Not 1175.79 6.63 1

Suitable
function and business areas
Total 17,724.29 100
As indicated in the above table (table 9) the most suitable area which holds open space,
agricultural land and forest accounts 10,714.00 hectare (60.45%) of the land use in the
study area. This land use is found in almost all outer parts of the city except in the inner
parts which is residential areas. The next largest land use area covered by pure residence,
administration and recreational areas which accounts about 2,833.47 hectare land
(15.99%) but it has less suitability importance due to high cost for compensation.
Generally the land use ranked from most suitable to not suitable area accounts 60.45%,
9.3%, 7.63%, 15.99%, and 6.63% in their order of importance in the study area.
4.1.1.4. Distance from Road

Gravity distribution water reservoir site should be located at suitable distance from roads
to facilitate maintenance activities, supervision and monitoring and consequently to
reduce relative costs. To do this multiple ring buffers was applied to create the following
road network suitability road distance interval with a total of five suitability classes.
62
Figure 26 Road Suitability Map of the Study Area
Table 10 Area Coverage of Distance from Road Suitability
Factor Criteria Value Suitability Area (Ha) Coverage Ranking

(meters) (%)
Distance 0-500 Most Suitable 7770.41 29.44 5

from
Road 501-1000 Suitable 5389.1 20.42 4
(meters)
1001-1500 Moderately Suit- 4907.89 18.60 3
able
1501-2000 Less Suitable 4307.25 16.32 2
Above 2000 Not Suitable 4018.91 15.23 1
63
As shown in the above table, (table 10) from the total area of Dessie city 29.44% and
20.42% were found as the most suitable and suitable respectively. Again 16.32% of the
area was less suitable and 15.23% was totally not suitable. The other 18.60% of the study
area road proximity is moderately suitable for gravity distribution water reservoir sites.
The road network proximity suitability map of the study area is clearly indicated in the
figure 26 above.
4.1.1.5. Distance from River

Putting gravity distribution water reservoir near to river may cause social and economical
problems if there happened land slide. This may have an extended impact for human and
animal that use this water for various activities. Therefore, reservoir site should be far for
more distant from rivers.
Figure 27 River Suitability Map of the Study Area
64
Table 11 Area Coverage of Distance from River Suitability
Factor Criteria Suitability Area (Ha) Coverage (%) Ranking

Value (me-
ters)
Dis- 0-200 Not Suitable 3076.03 20.32 1
tance
from 201-400 Less Suitable 2993.77 19.78 2
Rivers
(meters)
401-600 Moderately Suit- 3014.1 19.91 3
able
601-800 Suitable 3063.86 20.24 4

Above 801 Most Suitable 2990.42 19.75 5
The above Table (table 11) indicated that 20.32% of the study area was excluded from the
sitting processes due to the fact that there is a river around that area and not suitable for
gravity distribution water reservoir site. On the other hand 19.75% of the area was highly
suitable due to the fact that there is no impact on the area associated with surface water.
Finally, 20.24%, 19.91% and 19.78% of the total areas were suitable, moderately suitable and
less suitable respectively as indicate on figure 27 above.
4.1.1.6. Distance from Settlement

The construction of reservoirs for water supply of any consumption or development
should be near to settlement or built up area to minimize distribution and transmission
costs if it is far from settlements.
65
Figure 28 Settlement Suitability Map of the Study Area
Table 12 Area Coverage of Distance from Settlement Suitability
Factor Criteria Suitability Area (Ha) Coverage Ranking

Value (me- (%)
ters)
Distance 0-200 Most Suitable 9892.39 51. 5
from Set- 07
tlements 201-400 Suitable 3475.67 17.94 4
(meters) 401-600 Moderately 2250.62 11. 3
Suitable 62
601-800 Less Suitable 1965.71 10. 2
15
Above 801 Not Suitable 1787.61 9. 1
23
66
The above table (table 12) describes that 9.23% of the total area of the study is not suitable
while, 10.15% less suitable, 11.62% moderately suitable. The other 17.94% and 51.07% are
suitable and highly suitable respectively for gravity distribution water reservoir site selection
as indicated on figure 28 above.
4.1.1.7. Soil Type

The physical characteristic of the study area is one of the major criteria to select gravity
distribution water reservoir site selection. According to (Wash et al., 2013.) the amount of
soil permeability is increase; the suitability site will decrease, because the very high
permeable soil, the most probable to increase high construction cost with engineering
solutions to increase the safety of the reservoir and the surrounding society. Hence, based
on the figure below about 83% of the total area is Suitable, 2% is not suitable and the
other 2% the most suitable site as indicated in the following figure (fig.29) below.
Figure 29 Soil Suitability Map of the Study Area
67
4.1.2. Major Challenges of Evenhanded Water Supply
One of the data collection techniques for this study was interview. An Unstructured open
ended questions were posed to the following purposively selected key informants. These
informants were 1 water supply and waste water management manager, 4 branch
managers of Hottie, Salayish, Garaguto and Dawdo branches and 2 responsible core
process owners from the main office.
Based on the discussion with those key informants, there are a number of challenges of
equitable water supply in Dessie City such as lack of commitment, shortage of finance,
political barriers, fast population growth, shortage of water source, capacity limitation of
reservoirs and elevation difference with Customer and reservoir locations in the study
area.
As shown on the below table, the problem or challenge of equitable water supply ranges
from the most likely critical (elevation difference with Customer and reservoir locations)
to the less likely (political barriers). As the manager points out during the interview
period, fast population growth and shortage of water play an important role for unfair
water supply nature of the city.
In addition to the interviews a ranked questions using likert scale was given to these key
informants and were answered questions as follows:-
Table 13 Ranks of Challenges for Evenhanded Water Supply in the City
S.N Challenges Ranks No. percent
1 Shortage of Finance 6th 1 5.88
2 Lack of Commitment 5th 1 5.88
3 Political Barriers 7th 0 0
2
4 Fast Population Growth 2nd 5 9.41
2
5 Shortage of Water Source 3rd 4 3.53
6 Capacity Limitation of Reservoirs 4th 2 1
68
1.76
3
7 Elevation Difference with Customer and Reservoir Locations 1st 6 5.29
Total 17 100
Source: Field survey 2022
4.1.3. Mapping the Most Suitable Site for Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir
Mapping the most suitable location is one of the end result of this study. In order to
identify the suitable sites for the gravity distribution water reservoir by considering the
elevation, slope, land use, distance from road, distance from river, distance from
settlement and soil type must be compared each other using pair-wise comparisons of the
relative rank of factors to the suitability.
As discussed in previous chapter under the methods part according to (Saaty, 2008) if the
consistency ratio (CR) value is much more than 0.1, the judgment during pair-wise is
unreliable because they are too closes for randomness. Therefore the following pair wise
comparison matrix was developed. After the pair-wise comparison matrices were filled,
the weights of the factors were calculated by normalizing the respective eigenvector. The
Principal Eigen Value (λ-max) was estimated by multiplying each element of the priority
vector and column totals. Priority vector or weight also estimated by taking the mean
value of the rows.
Pair-wise Comparison Matrix

Ele-
va- Slo Land Distance Distance from Distance Soil
Factors tion pe Use from Road Settlement from River Type
Elevation 1 9 9 9 9 9 9
Slope 0.11 1 1 2 2 2 2
1.0
Land Use 0.11 0 1 2 2 2 2
Distance from 0.5
Road 0.11 0 0.50 1 2 2 2
Distance from
Settlement 0.11 2 0.50 0.50 1 1 1
Distance from 0.11 0.5 0.50 0.50 1 1 2
69
River
0.5
Soil Type 0.11 0 0.50 0.50 1 0.50 1
14.
Sum 1.67 50 13.00 15.50 18 17.50 19
Source: My Own Analysis, August, 2022
Normalized Pair-wise Comparison Matrix

Distance Distance Criteria
Land from from Distance Soil weighted Criteria Weight
Factors Elevation Slope Use Road Settlement from River Type Sum Value Weight (%)
Elevation 0.60 0.62 0.69 0.58 0.50 0.51 0.47 3.98 0.57 56.88
Slope 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.67 0.10 9.60
Land Use 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.67 0.10 9.60
Distance
from Road 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.53 0.08 7.64
Distance
from Set-
tlement 0.07 0.14 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.44 0.06 6.29
Distance
from River 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.11 0.39 0.06 5.57
Soil Type 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.03 0.05 0.31 0.04 4.41
100.00
Source: My Own Analysis, August, 2022
Table 16 Consistency Analysis

Calculating Consistency
Criteria
Weight 0.57 0.10 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.04
Land Distance Distance from Distance Soil weighted Criteria
Factors Elevation Slope Use from Road Settlement from River Type Sum Value Weight WSV/CW
Elevation 0.57 0.86 0.86 0.69 0.57 0.50 0.40 4.45 0.57 7.82
Slope 0.06 0.10 0.10 0.15 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.73 0.10 7.64
Land Use 0.06 0.10 0.10 0.15 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.73 0.10 7.64
Distance
from Road 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.08 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.56 0.08 7.34
Distance
from Settle-
ment 0.06 0.19 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.50 0.06 8.01
Distance
from River 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.40 0.06 7.26
Soil Type 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.03 0.04 0.33 0.04 7.54
1.00 53.25/7
Lamda(L
) Max 7.61
70
Source:- My Own Analysis, August, 2022
By applying the formula from chapter 3 of this study which is
λmax = ƩCi×Wj ………………….(1)
Where Ci is column totals

λmax is Principal Eigen Value and
Wj is the priority vectors which is obtained by computing the mean values of the rows.
Then λmax is 7.61. The purpose for doing this is to make sure that original preference
rating were consistent.
………………………… (2)
Where:
CI = Consistency index, and
n = is the number of factors that we use for weighted overlay analysis which is in this.
Then Consistency index (CI) is equal to (7.61-7)/7-1which is0.61/6 = 0.10
It also produce consistency ratio (CR) that serves as a measure of logical inconsistency of
expert/ user judgment during pair-wise criteria cooperation, in practice a CR of 0.1 or be-
low is considered acceptable and it measured using the equation below.
CR = ….…….………………………… (3)
Where:-
CR = Consistency Ratio and
RI = Random Consistency Index (It is given from literature). Then Consistency Ratio is
equal to 0.10/ (1.35 from the table 5 in chapter 3) = 0.07 which is acceptable.
4.1.3.1. Weighted Overlay

After reclassifying all parameters and identified the suitable map for each factors the next
and final process was overlaying those reclassified maps to come up with a suitability
map by using weighted overlay tool as follows.
71
Figure 30 Suitability Map for Gravity Distribution Water reservoir Site
Table 17 Suitability Level and Area Coverage
S.N Level of Suitability Area (Ha) Coverage

(%)
1 Very High 223 2.12
2 High 3,100.13 29.46

3 Moderate 5,235.47 49.75
4 Low 1,941.93 18.45
5 Very Low 22.79 0.22
Total 10,523.33 100.00

Source: My Own Illustration, September 2022
72
As table 17 above illustrated that the coverage of the two highest suitability sites together
have about 3323.13 hectare (31.58%) coverage where the highest is 223 (2.12%) hectare
and the higher is 3100.13 (29.46%) hectare respectively. The Largest area which is
5235.47 (49.75%) hectare was covered by moderately suitable area and the lower and
lowest suitable areas have 1941.93 hectare (18.45%) and 22.79 hectare (0.22%)
respectively.
Figure 31 The Most Suitable Map for Gravity Distribution Reservoir Site
4.1.4. Evaluation of Existing Reservoir Sites with those Parameters
4.1.4.1 Situation of Existed Water Supply

The information on location of most of the water reservoirs were collected in conjunction
with the main water network on the City. The reservoirs data including their capacity
years of construction and material of construction were also collected. A concrete and
masonry reservoirs were constructed in Dessie City with a total capacity of 5770 m3. The
capacity is decreased from 6050 meter cub in the table below to 5770 meter cub water be-
73
cause the two reservoirs (Dawdo and Ager Gizat) are not functional with a capacity of
280 meter cub water.
Table 18 Pressure Capacity, Reservoir Name and Elevation
S.N Location Pressure X Coordinate Y Coordinate Volume Construction Elevation
Zone Date
1 Ayteyef 1 569704.06 1228181.56 3000 2002 2,579.76

2 Menge- 1 120 2004 2,426.94
569887.54 1227485.12
shagora
3 karaguto 2 571152.33 1232131.92 1000 2002 2,451.50
4 Guba 2 571282.26 1232018.01 120 2002 2,450.69
5 Kedijo new 5 569497.79 1233161.90 500 2002 2,676.95
6 kedijo old 5 569497.02 1233547.01 100 1972 2652.09
7 Metero 3 568178.94 1228856.27 200 2002 2,623.88

8 Medhanialem 1 569481.97 1228697.59 100 1972 2,401.85
9 Nigusmichael 4 568456.80 1228165.38 500 2002 2,532.04
10 Sire Minch 3 568372.93 1230474.73 100 1972 2,534.50
11 Segno Gebeya 4 568371.07 1227187.14 50 1968 2,497.44
12 Ager Gizat 1 568588.69 1229701.67 180 1942 2,573.49
13 Dawdo 1 568507.69 1231931.53 100 1980 2,591.66
14 Yetero 1 567838.70 1233387.24 220 2003 2,723.15
15 Tita 2 572635.64 1234579.24 40 2006 2,586.06
Total 6050
Source: Dessie City, 2014 E.C
Table 19 Water Distribution in Old Pressure Zones
Pressure Daily for Daily for One In Two For 24 hours Total of
Zones one hour 2 hours Weeks Weeks Supply Customers
1 97 69 41 31 0 238
2 0 0 43 32 0 57
3 0 0 0 0 13 13
4 6 4 25 0 0 35
5 0 34 12 6 0 52
74
Total 103 107 121 69 13 395
% 26.08 27.09 30.63 17.47 3.29 100
According observations made in this study the present water distribution is not fair.
Evidence from Dessie City Water Supply and Waste Water Management confirmed that
there was always a closing of the main transmission line flowed into the main reservoir to
fill the extension one in order to supply water for the nearby customers in each extended
reservoir. This shows that there is a shortage of water in the one hand there was an extra
supply of water for some parts of the city if the gate vale to their was not closed and of
course the extended reservoirs could not getting full.
As we can see on the figure below (fig.32) all main reservoirs have an extensions except
zone 3 which has uninterrupted daily water supply. According to information gathered
with interviews shows that these extension were made due to the illegal and legal
expansion of population, elevation differences with the main reservoirs and the customer
houses. This tells us that there have to be a need to answer the problem of reservoir sites
for the city boundary as a whole unless and other wise this circumstance will not
changed.
According to the table above (table 19) there was a big difference in daily distribution
that ranges from 24 hours per day to once in two weeks. This 24 hours per day supply is
found in the pressure zone 3 where Sire Minch reservoir is located. Whereas once in the
week access is found almost in all pressure zones except in pressure zone 3.
Generally speaking there was a critical problem in pressure zone 1, zone 2 and zone 5
whereas zone 3 and zone 4 have relatively good access to potable water in the study area.
75
Aytef Medhaniyalem
Medhaniyalem Mengesha
Mengesha Dawdo
Aytef
Gora
Gora
Pressure Zone Yetero Ager Gizat

1
Kedijo Old Kedijo New Pressure

Zone 5
Pressure Pressure
Sire Minch Zone 3 Zone 2
Karagutu Old Karagutu Tita Guba

New
Segno Gebeya Nigus Metero Pressure

Michael Zone 4
Figure 32 Old Main Reservoirs with their Extensions
76
4.1.4.2. Comparison of old and New Reservoir Sites and Pressure Zones
Based on the above table the wider area coverage of old pressure zone 1 is twice of the
new pressure zone 1 which accounts 4641.02 (old water pressure area zone 1) and
2154.09 hectare (new water pressure area zone 1). The next larger difference is registered
in zone 4 where old pressure zone 4 has an area of 5597.14 and new pressure zone 4 has
an area of 2010.53 hectares. In so many aspects the newly created water pressure zones
are better than those old ones. Some of these differences are better area coverage which
covers all kebeles of the city, in shorter distance from the reservoir to all parts of the
pressure zones, it has better elevated gravity distribution water pressure sites.
Table 20 Comparison of Old and New Pressure Zones

S.N Old Longest Area New Longest Area Difference
Pressure Distance (Ha) Pres- Distance (Ha) in Length
Zones water sure water (km) Difference in
Can Zones Can Area (Ha)
Travel Travel
(km)
1 Zone 1 19.13 4,641.02 Zone 1 6.89 2,154.09 12.24 2,486.93
2 Zone 2 6.9 2,148.19 Zone 2 6.73 2,988.69 0.17 -840.50
3 Zone 3 4.9 914.68 Zone 3 4.52 1,885.46 0.38 -970.78
4 Zone 4 11.03 5,597.14 Zone 4 4.68 2,010.53 6.35 3,586.61
5 Zone 5 12.5 4,133.68 Zone 5 8.9 5,801.93 3.6 -1,668.25
Zone 6 6.71 2,931.00
Total 5 6
77
Figure 33 Old and New Reservoir Locations and with their Respective Pressure Zones
4.1.4.3. Level of old Reservoir Sites Suitability based on Selected Criteria

One of the drawbacks of the old reservoir sites was elevation difference between the
customer locations. According to the department of water supply and waste water
management of Dessie City and confirmed by field observation and interviews from the
residents who lived around Metero, Garaguto, Kedjo, Ayteyef, Nigus Michael, Segno
Gebeya and Yetero Reservoir site there is a substantial elevation difference. That means
there are many residents who are living above the elevation of the nearest reservoir sites
which cannot able to get access of potable water supply.
Generally all old reservoir sites were constructed in a suitable and moderately suitable
locations which means that there are many residential houses left un access for water.
The following figure (fig.33) better illustrated by overlaying the existed reservoir sites on
the new suitable sites as follows:-
78
Figure 34 Level of Suitability of Existing Reservoir Locations
79
4.1.5. Creating Appropriate Water Pressure Zone
According to Demands, stated in the literature review part every water distribution
system regardless of size comprised of at least one pressure zone (Demands et al., 2010).
Therefore an appropriate water pressure zone must be created. As of most urban areas in
the world Dessie city could have more than one water pressure zones in order to supply
water for consumers equitably especially in most mountainous areas (Pune Municipal
Corporation, 2014). But the number of pressure zones can be decided on the area,
population as well as the topography of the city. As ( Pune Municipal Corporation, 2014)
each pressure zone requires distinct boundaries which was created. Thus, the researcher
applied Theissen Polygon spatial analysis tool to create the appropriate pressure zone
with an input of Dessie City boundary shape file as a polygon feature class and six new
suitable reservoir sites as a point feature class. after the creation of theissen polygon the
researcher digitized and resized it to overlapped with the study area boundary. The
following consecutive figures illustrates about it.
Figure 35 Demarcation of Pressure Zones using Theissen Polygon
80
Figure 36 Suitable Pressures for Dessie City
4.1.6. Type of Water Distribution System in the Study Area

There are three major types of water distribution systems namely pumping, gravity sys-
tem and combined system (Ramamurthy et al., 1994). when pumping distribution system
of water supply is applicable water is directly supplied into the customers without storing
it.
According to (Mekuriaw et al., 2008) for efficient distribution system, adequate water
pressure is required at various points. This type of system is also known to be pumping
without storage system and it needs high lifts pumps. When gravity flow water distribu-
tion systems are reliable and cost effective over pumping systems as no external power is
required to maintain the flow because the system was designed to work at gravity only.
This type of distribution system is functional whenever the source of water is at efficient
elevation above the end users. The last one is dual or combined system is which is the
most common system which treated water is pumped and stored in an elevated distribu-
tion reservoir. As Mekuriaw (Mekuriaw et al., 2008) states that the gravity and pumping
81
combination system supplies sustainable water to consumer by action of gravity. Accord-
ing to him the excess water during low demand periods get stored in reservoir and get
supplied during high demand period which more economical and efficient reliable system
especially for mountainous areas like Dessie.
The actual evidence observed from the site and the information gathered from the staffs
of Dessie City water supply and waste water management experts showed that the type of
distribution system that exists in the study area is combined or dual system. That means
water from different source sites is pushing by pressure pumps and stored in a reservoir
which placed at higher place somewhere in the city and distributed for the customers with
gravity system.
4.2. Discussions
4.2.1. Major Factors
Geographic Information System (GIS) has been proven that it is useful for identifying
suitable locations for gravitational distribution water reservoirs. For instance, site
selection of water reservoirs in Bachok, Kelantan, Batu Pahat, Malaysia and Pakistan.
Since the determination of suitable site requires so many factors the selection of those
factors also depends on the topography of the study area and the type of water reservoir
that is going to be constructed such as pumping, gravity or combined system. Therefore
in this study area the researcher have considered the hilly topographic nature of the city
and the combined nature of water supply system which is applicable in the area.
Thus as a major factor a study in Bachok, Kelantan was used four major factors by
considering 1) elevation where higher elevation is more favorable; 2) distance from the
river where places nearer to rivers are preferable; 3) slope where gradual slopes are
preferable and; 4) land use where lands further away from residential, agricultural, and
economic areas are favorable (Case & Bachok, 2021). In this research the researcher used
those four major factors with additional three factors and some modification of elevation
82
suitability due to high elevation variations from the last highest elevation of the residence
plus fifty meter building permit height in the study area.
The same study in Batu Pahat, Malaysia used six major factors by considering 1) distance
from road where places near the road is suitable; 2) distance from pipeline where places
near the pipe is suitable; 3) distance from land use places near the residential is suitable;
4) distance from river locations near the river is suitable; 5) slope where higher or gradual
slope is suitable and 6) elevation where high elevation is suitable (Study & Pahat, 2015).
But in this research the researcher again used some factor (road, land use, river, elevation
and slope factor with the same explanation by excluding pipeline factor and adding two
extra factors (soil type and settlement).
4.1.2. Major Challenges of Evenhanded Water Supply

Although a number of efforts have done by the Pure water supply and waste water
management department the city have faced many challenges that results negative impact
on the provision of water equitably. Based on the responses from the key informants the
first challenge is critical elevation difference with customer house and reservoir locations
followed by fast population growth and shortage of water source as a second and third
challenge respectively. The capacity limitations of the reservoirs and lack of commitment
both in political leaders and experts have an invaluable role in challenging the supply
system. At last shortage of finance and political barriers are listed by these informants
which have their own contribution to slow down the equitable distribution of water in the
study area.
As the manager emphasized during the interview period, as a result of fast population
growth there is always illegal and legal expansion of city dwells and construction of
houses in mountainous areas which is not believed that humans could be resides. This
brings the elevation difference between the customer houses and reservoir sites and also
between demands and reservoir capacity which makes difficult to manage the supply
system in integrated way in the study area.
83
4.1.3. Mapping the Most Suitable Site for Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir
Nowadays finding and analyzing suitability of a certain location in space needs the
application of geographic information system and remotely captured data (Raza et al.,
2018). For this research there are seven major factors used to find the suitable land for
gravity distribution water reservoir site for Dessie City.
To remember these factor were elevation where the higher place is suitable after
elimination of elevations greater than 2,901 meter above sea level for the study area,
slope where gradual slope is suitable, land use where open space, forest land, agricultural
areas are suitable, distance from road where places near to the road is suitable, distance
from river where places far from rivers are suitable, distance from settlements where
places nearer are suitable and finally soil types where Eurtic Cambisol are Eurtic
Leptosol are suitable.
After buffering have made for road, river and settlement data and converting
aforementioned three buffered datasets with land use and soil type from vector to raster
datasets all data were prepared to the same 20 cell size and reclassified using reclassify
tool in geographic information system environment. This reclassification was made by
assigning ranks from 1to 5 where 1 is very low suitable area and 5 is very high suitable
areas while the weighted overlay has been made.
Then after a weight has been given to those seven criteria with the help of Saaty pair-
wise comparison matrix (Saaty, 2008) for Analytical processing (AHP) in weighted
overlay. Based on the normalized pair-wise comparison matrix table (table 15) under the
criteria weight for this research elevation has 56.88%, slope and land use have equal
9.6% and distance from road has 7.64% and settlement and river have equal 6.29% and
finally soil type as a weight of 4.41%. It is using this criteria weight that weighted
overlay analysis has done.
After the processing was completed the following result was recorded and mapped. The
final result of suitability contains 263,026 competitive sites from highly suitable to a very
less suitable sites. From those sites 5,613 sites were highly suitable, 77,492 suitable,
84
130,855 moderate, 48,494 less suitable and the rest 572 sites were in the range of very
less suitability. As indicated in the result portion of this study (figure 30) the red color on
the map has a very high value and dark green, light green, yellow and orange colors have
high, moderate, low and very low suitability in the study area. From (figure 36) in the
result portion the points in purple colors are sampled reservoir sites chosen for the
purpose of water pressure polygon creation and they will be the site of the future
reservoir site indeed.
4.1.4. Evaluation of Existing Reservoir Sites with those Parameters
As the manager of water supply and waste water management department of Dessie City
points out that during the interview session the sites were selected with simple
observations and by taking civil survey. This shows that there was no application of
geographical information system and remote sensing to find the suitable sites for gravity
distribution water supply reservoirs. In addition the manager said this is the reason why
the city faced a problem in a continuous construction of extension reservoirs. This was
confirmed by overlaying the shape file of the existing reservoir sites on the newly
selected suitable site in this research. As one can observe from the figure on (fig.34) in
the result part of this research the majority of the sites were fall under moderately suitable
places of which 6 reservoir sites namely Ayteyef, Metero, kedijo old, kedijo new, Dawdo
and Yetero reservoirs were located on the range of high suitable area. Therefore there
should be a new site to solve this inequitable water supply in the study area.
4.1.5. Creating Appropriate Water Pressure Zone
It obvious that from the observation of the old pressure zone there was a long distance
from the reservoir to the end customer sites especially in zone one which extends about
more than 19 kilometers (table 20). On the other hand observations and interviews
showed that there is no water supply interruptions unless power supply fails in zone three
which has a small area coverage short distance between all customers in that particular
zone and the reservoir. Zone 3 has an area of 914.68 hectare and the longest distance it
serves is 4.9 kilometer. Thus we can concluded that the shortest distance between the
85
customers location and the reservoir could foster the well supplying of water equitably
keeping the capacity and yield of water source are constant.
Therefore the researcher took six high elevation points from the most suitable
competitive sites (5,613 sites ) and used to create appropriate pressure zone staring point
in theissen polygon creation. To this end there were six pressure zones with optimal
distance that supposed to be in the future covering all boundaries of the study area.
4.1.6. Type of Water Distribution System in the Study Area
The actual evidence observed from the site and the information gathered from the staffs
of Dessie City water supply and waste water management experts showed that the type of
distribution system that exists in the study area is combined or dual system. That means
water from different source sites is pushing by pressure pumps and stored in a reservoir
which placed at higher place somewhere in the city and distributed for the customers with
gravity system.
86
CHAPTER FIVE
5. CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1. Conclusions
This work has essentially focused on Gravity Distribution Water Supply Reservoir Site
Selection Modeling in Dessie city. In this part of the research, major findings on
challenges, existing reservoir situations, water pressure zones and water distribution
systems in the study are summarized and concluded as follows:
 The research in Bachok, Kelantan find out that there were only two sites
with highest elevation and appropriate area for the construction of the reservoirs
in the city (Case & Bachok, 2021). But in this study there are 96 sites with highly
suitable range in fall factors that cover an area of 256 to 521,575 square meter.
Thus from this we can conclude that there are many suitable sites to solve
problem of the city soon. And using technological tool like GIS and Remote
sensing make easy to solve spatial problems.
 The study also found that the most suitable sites are located in the north, north
west and south of the city. Moreover the majority suitable sites are found in
eastern part of Tossa Mountain.
 Based on the analysis made for this study some of the existing reservoir sites are
leveled as suitable, moderately suitable and less suitable.
 The study found that the previously created water pressure zone has a critical
problem which manifested by an imbalanced area coverage and water traveled the
longest journey in zone 1 and shortest journey in zone 3. Accordingly there is
excess supply of water in zone 3 whereas there is high shortage in zone 1. The
study also found out that the most suitable pressure zone in relation to suitable
gravity distribution water reservoir sites.
 Finally even though there is a possibility to exist together the best type of
distribution system in the study area is combined or dual system due to high
variations in elevations and the absence of surface water at the highest level.
87
5.2. Recommendations
Though application of geographical information system and remote sensing technology

played a significant role in solving many problems spatially distributed the power of
these technologies are not yet realized. So the following are some recommended ideas
that could be followed to model gravity distribution water reservoirs effectively and effi-
ciently in Dessie City.
 The result in this study shows that there are many suitable sites. But the analysis of
suitable site using multi criteria decision making method needs some additional
factors to come up with more purified results. Therefore another researchers can go
throw to model and find suitable site by using these and additional factors not
mentioned here.
 The existing reservoirs are not able to supply the fast increasing demand adequately
and equitably with a sustainable way exclusively and has several limitations like
unequal water service delivery in the city. To this end both the city administration and
the water supply and waste management department should implement technology
based findings to overcome the problem in the city.
 The creation of appropriate water pressure zone is not an easy task to accomplish. In
this research theissen polygon tool inside spatial analysis in geographic information
system environment was used. But the researcher highly believed that there should
also another way to create it easily without digitizing after the process is completed.
 Even if there is energetic working force staff in water supply and waste water man -
agement department the major challenges were not solved because they needs politi-
cal decisions. This could be manifested by letting the whole activity and management
system to the respective department. But it seeks higher officials attention and if not
there is no equitable and fairly distribution of the water supply service. Subsequently
it is recommended that the city administration should put it into the highly classified
list of projects to solve the problem.
 The type of water distribution system in the study area is combined or dual system. In
areas like Dessie city the recommended type of water distribution system is combined
88
to better benefited from its cost effective nature. In this type of distribution system
there need to be pressure pumps to push water from the source to the reservoir located
in higher elevation can distribute water by gravity. Therefore the city use this research
as a spring board to further investigate if another solutions prevails.
89
References
Abdalla, O. O., Omer, S., & El, H. (2017). Site Selection of Wastewater Treatment Plant
using RS / GIS data and Multi- Criteria Analysis ( MCA ): Case Study Omdurman
City , Khartoum State , Sudan (Issue March 2018).
Bashe, B. B. (2017). Groundwater potential mapping using Remote Sensing and GIS in
rift valley lakes basin, Weito Sub Basin, Ethiopia. Int J Sci Eng Res, 8(2), 43–50.
Bureau, D. (2019). ANRS Water , Irrigation and Energy Development Bureau Dessie
Town water supply Project Distribution system Final Design report Eastern Amhara
Design and Supervision.
Case, A., & Bachok, S. (2021). SITE SELECTION OF WATER RESERVOIR BASED ON
WEIGHTED OVERLAY IN SITE SELECTION OF WATER RESERVOIR BASED
ON WEIGHTED OVERLAY. March.
Climate, T. G., & Initiative, T. (n.d.). Where shall we put it ?
Commission, E., Union, A., & Development, A. (n.d.). The Africa Water Vision for
2025 : Equitable and Sustainable Use of Water for Socioeconomic Development.
Dar, B. (2010). THE RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME
, AMHARA REGION TRAINING MANUAL for STUDY and DESIGN Of GRAVITY
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Prepared by : Yohannes Melaku Water Supply
Development Advisor. 1–108.
Demands, F. W., Development, H. M., Zones, P., Stations, P., Stations, P. R., &
Agreements, I. S. (2010). Chapter 5.0 POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM. November.
Drake, N. (n.d.). Spatial Modelling of the Terrestrial.
Goudie, A. (n.d.). of Physical The DicTionary.
Hometel, C., & City, L. (2009). Basic GIS Training.
Infrastructure, U. (2020). Final.
Kefyalew, L. (2019). Urban Water Supply System Performance Assessment: The cause of
Alem gena town. Geol 6026, 16417.
Kim, E., & Editors, B. H. S. K. (n.d.). Quantitative Regional Economic and
Environmental Analysis for Sustainability in Korea.
Lakshmi, S., & Steven, J. (n.d.). GIS Research Methods.
Levy, N., & Benenson, I. (2015). GIS-based method for assessing city parking patterns.
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT OF GEOGRRAPHY, 46, 220–231.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2015.06.015
Manjubashini, A., Rinsitha, T., & Singh, D. S. H. (2014). Analysis for Chengalpattu
Taluk Using GIS (Vol. 3, Issue 3).
Mark Taylor, John Foster, Ryan Breen, Sarina Smith, L. W., & Michael Peat, Bruce
Campbell, and D. S. (2018). A Guide to Managing Water for the Environment. In
90
Aither Pty Ltd.
Mekuriaw, T., Kifle, Y., & Assefa, Y. (n.d.). Water Supply Distribution System Design.
Mohammed, A. B., & Sahabo, A. A. (2018). Water Supply and Distribution Problems in
Developing Countries : A Case Study Water Supply and Distribution Problems in
Developing Countries : A Case Study of Jimeta-Yola , Nigeria. October.
Oakland, G. B. (1953). Determining Sample Size. The Canadian Entomologist, 85(3),
108–113. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent85108-3
Of, M., & Resources, W. (2001). THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
ETHIOPIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES.
Point, S., Models, P., & Data, D. S. (2016). Introduction to Spatial Point Process Models
for Distance Sampling Data Introduction to Spatial Point Process Models for
Distance Sampling : Background.
Pramanik, M. K. (2016). Site suitability analysis for agricultural land use of Darjeeling
district using AHP and GIS techniques. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment,
2(2), 1–22.
Pune Municipal Corporation. (2014). Pune Municipal Corporation Water Supply System
for Pune City Detailed Project Report.
Ramamurthy, V., Challa, O., Naidu, L. G. K., Kumar, K. S. A., Singh, S. K., Mamatha,
D., Ranjitha, K., & Mishra, B. B. (1994). 10 . Land Evaluation and Land Use
Planning. 1–38.
Raza, S. H., Shafique, M., Sikandar, A., Ahmad, N., & Shah, K. (2018). Site selection of
water storage based on multi-criteria decision analysis. 3(4), 265–278.
https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2018.04.01
Reddy, V. R., Fonseca, C., & Batchelor, C. H. (2014). Sustainable water and sanitation
services: The life-cycle cost approach to planning and management. In Sustainable
Water and Sanitation Services: The Life-Cycle Cost Approach to Planning and
Management (Vol. 9780203521). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203521670
Saaty, T. L. (2008). Decision making with the analytic hierarchy process. International
Journal of Services Sciences, 1(1), 83–98.
Saaty, T. L., & Vargas, L. G. (1998). Diagnosis with dependent symptoms: Bayes
theorem and the analytic hierarchy process. Operations Research, 46(4), 491–502.
Sen, S., Roy, S., Sarkar, A., Chaki, N., & Debnath, N. C. (2014). Dynamic discovery of
query path on the lattice of cuboids using hierarchical data granularity and storage
hierarchy. In Journal of Computational Science (Vol. 5, Issue 4).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocs.2014.02.006
Shammas, N. K., & Wang, L. K. (2016). Hydraulics, Distribution and Treatment. In
Water Engineering.
Soil, W., & Reports, R. (2015). World reference base for soil resources 2014
International soil classification system.
Study, C., & Pahat, B. (2015). Application of GIS Based Multi-criteria Analysis in Site
91
Selection of Water Reservoirs ( Case Study : Batu Pahat , Malaysia ) Application of
GIS Based Multi-criteria Analysis in Site Selection of Water Reservoirs. April 2022.
https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.9.2593
Swisher, A. D. (1972). Community Water Supply in Developing Countries. JAWRA
Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 8(3), 614–618.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1972.tb05184.x
Tesfa Gebrie, &, & Ademe, D. (2012). Amhara National Regional State Water Resources
Development Bureau. 1–63.
Tilahun, S. A., Collick, A. S., & Ayele, M. (n.d.). MAIN DOCUMENT Assessment of
Water Supply and Sanitation in Amhara Region.
Tsykalo, I. (2020). OPTIMAL ROUTE DEFINITION IN THE NETWORK BASED ON
THE MULTILAYER. February. https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2018/154443
UN. (2015). WWAP (United Nations World Water Assessment Programme). 2015. The
United Nations World Water Development Report 2015: Water for a Sustainable
World. Paris, UNESCO.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002318/231823E.pdf
Wash, O., Learning, P., Wash, O., & Programme, N. (2009). Urban Water Supply.
Water distribution network. (n.d.).
Yohannes, M. (2005). THE RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMME , AMHARA REGION TRAINING MANUAL for STUDY and
DESIGN Of Prepared by : 1–108.
Zolekar, R. B., & Bhagat, V. S. (2015). Multi-criteria land suitability analysis for
agriculture in hilly zone: Remote sensing and GIS approach. Computers and
Electronics in Agriculture, 118, 300–321.
Central Statistics Agency (2007) Statistical Abstract 2007. Addis Ababa: CSA.
Dessie City Administration., 2014. Annual report.
Dessie City Waste Water and Water Supply Office., 2014. Annual Report.
El- Fadel, M., and Massoud, M., 2012. Public–Private Partnerships for liquid Waste
Management Services: Environmental Management.
Goskel, D. et al., 2016. Selection alternative landfills location by using a geographical
information system European side of Istanbul. Journal of Environmental protection
Engineering, Volume 42, pp. 60-110.
Ismail, U., Ibrahim, M. & Ibrahim, I., 2016. Site suitability analysis for municipal solid
wastewater supply in birninkebbi, Nigeria. Journal of humanity and social
science,21(7),
92
Link, Albert N., 2013. Suitable Site Selection: Innovation Strategies and Policy
Alternatives. New York: Springer

Malczewski, J., 2011. GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis: A survey of the
literature..
International Journal of Geographical Information Science, pp. 20:7, p.703–726.
Geological Survey of Ethiopia (2022):- Geological Survey Data
93
Annexes
Annex 1
Sampled Customers selected to observations

S.N X Coordinate Y Coordinate Elevation Customer_ID
1 566381 1226044 2282.24 21
2 566003 1226426 2284.06 101
3 565478 1226661 2278.69 181
4 565687 1226808 2300.56 261
5 566825 1226553 2332.77 341
6 565622 1226610 2281.55 421
7 565384 1226697 2276.61 501
8 565528 1226735 2286.3 581
9 565683 1226910 2310.26 661
10 567181 1226387 2333.57 741
11 565821 1226433 2278.02 821
12 566386 1226069 2282.25 901
13 565427 1226485 2267.04 981
14 567586 1226524 2371.09 1061
15 565870 1226212 2271.91 1141
16 567685 1226775 2418.68 1221
17 569169 1232667 2480.4 1301
18 568396 1232759 2726.87 1381
19 567053 1235896 2835.68 1461
20 567457 1235069 2762.01 1541
21 569022 1232747 2501.01 1621
22 567865 1234128 2792.38 1701
23 568973 1232930 2495.31 1781
24 568427 1233714 2564.01 1861
25 568030 1234096 2755.26 1941
26 567548 1234438 2775.96 2021
27 568539 1233512 2580.2 2101
28 567019 1236012 2834.98 2181
29 568677 1234015 2503.27 2261
30 569644 1233200 2491.48 2341
31 569010 1232831 2496.88 2421
32 568370 1232892 2730.16 2501
33 568365 1233037 2702.74 2581
34 568374 1233153 2678.42 2661
35 568308 1233449 2675.09 2741
94
36 567448 1234989 2767.31 2821
37 569657 1232943 2473.67 2901
38 567400 1235122 2774.16 2981
39 568383 1233468 2642.48 3061
40 567988 1233542 2822.75 3141
41 568002 1233591 2818.58 3221
42 569657 1232969 2475.49 3301
43 568629 1234036 2511.05 3381
44 568341 1233659 2604.49 3461
45 567968 1233996 2798.27 3541
46 568320 1233787 2597.25 3621
47 568043 1233864 2806.84 3701
48 569100 1232701 2487.98 3781
49 569213 1233227 2477.31 3861
50 567945 1234037 2795.7 3941
51 567644 1234203 2798.42 4021
52 567874 1234319 2748.01 4101
53 567656 1234594 2745.63 4181
54 567354 1235162 2785.22 4261
55 569132 1232487 2485.39 4341
56 569149 1233514 2486.7 4421
57 569197 1232726 2476.92 4501
58 569209 1232901 2473.46 4581
59 569122 1232795 2482.3 4661
60 568981 1232860 2499.01 4741
61 569649 1233005 2477.69 4821
62 569766 1232815 2469.8 4901
63 568987 1232961 2492.39 4981
64 568995 1233016 2489.44 5061
65 569299 1233048 2470.27 5141
66 569643 1233074 2482.1 5221
67 569114 1233115 2476.84 5301
68 568986 1233150 2487.54 5381
69 569239 1233244 2477.49 5461
70 569215 1233303 2479.54 5541
71 569397 1233379 2488.96 5621
72 568928 1233473 2494.27 5701
73 569013 1230854 2496.4 5781
74 568819 1233736 2495.85 5861
75 568693 1233826 2501.51 5941
76 570077 1232902 2490.18 6021
95
Annex 2
Ground Truth Points from the most Suitable sites

S.N Shape * ID X Coordinate Y Coordinate Elevation
1 Point 9 566666.24 1242290.82 2751.6235
2 Point 49 570636.24 1238716.84 2778.2684
3 Point 76 571340.61 1237748.32 2761.6339
4 Point 78 571749.59 1236931.42 2727.2678
5 Point 92 571983.06 1236730.2 2768.4277
6 Point 199 567169.82 1234535.1 2755.9401
7 Point 220 567339.27 1234171.79 2796.3611
8 Point 238 567417.81 1233711.79 2821.6179
9 Point 604 568154.66 1229679.65 2824.0131
10 Point 785 566445.67 1228446.83 2764.0292
11 Point 836 568028.04 1228304.85 2824.8062
96

Syum - Thesis Comments

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Syum - Thesis Comments

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WOLLO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT

Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection Modeling in Dessie

Advisor:-Eshetu Shifaw (Dr)

A Research Submitted to Postgraduate Studies Wollo University, in Partial

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT

Gravity Distribution Water Reservoir Site Selection Modeling in Dessie

Advisor:-Eshetu Shifaw (Dr)

A Research Submitted to Postgraduate Studies Wollo University, in Partial

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “GRAVITY DISTRIBUTION WATER

___________________________ __________________ _________________

Name Signature Date

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY

Name Signature Date

Name Signature Date

Name Signature Date

1.1. Background of the Study 1

2.1. Concepts of Gravitational Distribution of Water 8

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 21

3.1. Description of the Study Area 21

3.3. Research Design 28

3.4.Sample Size and Sampling Techniques 28

3.5.1. Primary Data Source 29

3.6. Methods of Data Collection Instruments 29

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 56

5. CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 85

Table 1 Existing Service Reservoir Capacity, location and construction Date

Table 2 Datasets for this study

Table 3 Software and materials

Table 5 Random Consistency Index

Table 7 Area Coverage of Elevation Suitability

Table 8 Area Coverage of Slope Suitability

Table 9 Area Coverage of Land Use Suitability

Table 10 Area Coverage of Distance from Road Suitability

Table 11 Area Coverage of Distance from River Suitability

Table 12 Area Coverage of Distance from Settlement Suitability

Table 13 Ranks of Challenges for Evenhanded Water Supply in the City

Table 14 Pair-wise Comparison Matrix

Table 15 Pair-wise Comparison Matrix

Table 16 Consistency Analysis

Table 17 Suitability Level and Area Coverage

Table 18 Pressure Capacity, Reservoir Name and Elevation

Table 19 Water Distribution in Old Pressure Zones

Table 20 Comparison of Old and New Pressure Zones

Figure 1 Location Map of the Study Area

Figure 2 Elevation Map of the Study Area

Figure 3 Population Density Map of the Study Area

Figure 4 Monthly Temperature Distribution of the Study Area

Figure 5 Average Annual Rainfall of the Study Area

Figure 6 Soil Map of the Study Area

Figure 7 Flow Chart for Research Methodology

Figure 8 River Buffer Distance

Figure 9 Road Buffer Distance

Figure 10 Settlement Buffer Distance

Figure 11 River Raster

Figure.12 Road Raster

Figure.13 Settlement Raster

Figure 14 Land Use Raster

Figure 15 Soil Type Raster

Figure 16 Elevation Classification

Figure 17 Slope Classification

Figure 19 Road Classification

_________ _