Assefa, AlazarAssefaw, Kagnew2018-06-262023-11-082018-06-262023-11-082016-10http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3649The provision of improved water supply in primary schools is vital service for the well-being of students in urban areas of the country. In order to ensure water supply of schools in Addis Ababa, we need to consider the proper use of the resources and other sustainable source of water. The main objective of this paper is to scrutinize the scarcity of water in schools of the city and alleviate shortage by improved water supply. In order to achieve this objective, the combinations of qualitative and quantitative research approach were employed. The research method applied in this research is applied research by observation the challenge in water shortage in Kara-Alo primary school. Furthermore, identification of key challenges and potential of case sites to come up with appropriate design solution and compare the result of design interventions with the pre-development situation. The key finding of the research identifies. The main factors that cause the water scarcity in the schools as well as in the sub city were; water demand for the growing population, rainfall fluctuation, poor water management practices, poor water infrastructure, climate change and economic challenges. Therefore, the study recommends the possible solutions to minimize the problem of water scarcity by reducing flooding, at the same time application of water harvesting design for the rooftops and ground surface within the school compound are proposed as the primary strategy of the research. The secondary strategy is to educate people so as to not waste water, to identify more water sources and also to protect the flow of water over the ground surface without use. Keywords: Rainwater harvesting, water scarcity, and institutional developmentenRainwater harvestingwater scarcityand institutional developmentThesis