Coping With Urban Water Insecurity in a Post-Conflict Setting: Household Strategies in Juba City, South Sudan

Purpose: This study examined the coping strategies adopted by households experiencing inadequate access to clean and safe water in Juba City, South Sudan, focusing on their perceived effectiveness, implementation challenges and long-term sustainability. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 31 household heads, eight key informant interviews, six focus group discussions involving 46 participants and direct observations across Munuki, Juba and Kator payams. Participants were selected using purposive, convenience and critical-case sampling, while the data were analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings: The study identified five principal coping strategies: treating water through boiling, chlorination and filtration; using alternative sources such as boreholes, streams, rainwater, vendors and bottled water; rationing and reusing water; increasing household storage and sharing water with neighbours; and promoting household and community awareness of water safety and conservation. Although these practices helped households manage immediate shortages, their effectiveness and sustainability were constrained by treatment and fuel costs, uncertain water quality, inadequate storage, health risks associated with water reuse, unequal household resources and weakening reciprocal-sharing arrangements. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study extends the application of Stress and Coping Theory to urban water insecurity by distinguishing short-term household coping from supported and sustainable adaptation in a post-conflict setting. It provides policy evidence for affordable water treatment, regulated water supply, safe storage, rainwater harvesting and targeted assistance to vulnerable households. In practice, it demonstrates that household and community initiatives can strengthen resilience but cannot substitute for reliable, affordable and safely managed public water services.