Abstract
The standard of living of communities which go beyond their basic human needs can be sustainable only if their demands for quality water and consumption standards have regard for socio-demographic variabilities and ecological sustainability. This rural ecological study utilised cross-sectional survey design to evaluate the effects of socio-demographic elements on access to adequate and quality water, with particular focus on historically disadvantaged villages/settlements and water end-users (households) from rural Savannah area of Ghana. A sample size of 450, composed of 392 household heads and 58 staff from water related institutions were randomly selected through the proportionate, systematic and simple random sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires and interviews were modes for data collecting while correlation and descriptive statistics were deployed in analysing the data. Gender and age variations existed with male headed households relatively higher than females. Women were responsible for domestic water collection, yet they lacked voice in decision making on water and sanitation. Dependency on surface water prevailed and consumption patterns peaked significantly in dry seasons. This was remarkably noticeable among the economically active and...