Intermittent water supply: A literature review of causes, water availability and adaptation strategies

Intermittent water supply (IWS) is a water management system that is becoming increasingly widespread in developing countries and even in some developed countries. This article provides a comprehensive literature review of intermittent water supply and examines its causes, periods of water availability and residents' adaptation strategies. The analysis includes 81 relevant articles from different regions, including Asia, Africa, Europe, South and North America, with a focus on developing countries where IWS is widespread. The research indicates that climate change, inadequate infrastructure and rapid urbanization are among the leading causes of IWS as reported in the literature, although they may not necessarily represent the actual leading causes across all contexts. The availability of water under IWS varies considerably, ranging from a supply interrupted for a few hours each day, to a supply every 10 days. In response, residents employ a variety of coping strategies. The most common are storing water in household tanks, using water‐saving technologies and buying water from private suppliers. The study highlights the need for further research, particularly in under‐represented regions such as Africa and emphasizes the importance of sustainable solutions to improve water distribution systems. Infrastructure development and efficient water management are crucial to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in rapidly urbanizing regions.