Fana Gebresenbt (PhD)Kassa Asrat2025-04-012025-04-012019-06https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5253Conflict over water use is becoming a serious concern. This study was conducted to explore the nature and extent of water use conflict in Lake Ziway catchment. The research was designed to seek answers for questions on the practices, the dynamics, cause, the impact of conflict over water and the efficiency of the existing intuitional arrangements regarding water use in Lake Ziway catchment areas. In the conceptual framework for water use competition and conflict were explored with the attributes of water users, of natural resources and institutional arrangement on water from post-1991 up to present. A qualitative approach was employed that includes 16 key informant interviews, 21 in-depth interviews, four focus group discussions, and field observations. Data was collected from May up to 16 June, 2018. The findings show that demand for water resource is increasing and leading to intense competition for and overexploitation of water in the study area. In addition to increasing demand for water, decrease in water and structural scarcity tighten the competition for and conflict over water. The effect of water use conflict has created instability and insecurity among water users, in the study area. The existing institutions and the structures in place are not effective enough to ensure water use management in the area due to a lack of proper enforcement mechanisms. If the current water use conflict and competition are not properly addressed, they are likely to create serious social impacts, specifically displacement, overpopulation, water shortage, health) and environmental (e.g., water pollution, water degradation) challenges. Until further and better conflict management strategies are put in place, there is a need to organize platforms for regular stakeholders’ discussions and do environmental protection activities together with the community- this is empowering customary institutions.en-USwater use competitionwater use conflictLake Ziway Catchmentsinstitutional arrangementsThesis