Globally, water security is negatively affected by factors that include climatic and hydrological conditions,
population growth, rural–urban migration, increased per-capita water use, pollution and overabstraction
of groundwater. While Botswana has made strides in providing safe and clean water to its
population since independence in 1966, over the years, a combination of factors have contributed to
water security problems in different settlement categories of the country (i.e., primary, secondary, tertiary
and ungazetted settlements) in general and in the district of Ngamiland in particular. To study water
security problems differentiated by settlement category, this study employed quantitative data collection
methods (i.e. household structured questionnaires) and qualitative data collection methods (i.e. key
informant interviews, observation, focus group discussions and informal interviews), complemented by
a review of relevant literature. Water security in all settlements is affected by status of the settlement,
i.e. gazetted or ungazetted, climatic and hydrological factors and water governance challenges. In large
villages such as Maun, factors threatening water security include population growth, urbanization, management
challenges, old water supply and distribution infrastructure, increased demand for individual
connections and changing lifestyles. Small gazetted and ungazetted settlements encounter problems
related to limited sources of water supply as well as salinity of groundwater resources. In order to
enhance water security in different settlement categories, Botswana has to develop a comprehensive
water resources management strategy underpinned by integrated water resources management principles
aimed at addressing factors contributing to water security problems. The strategy has to be settlement
category specific. Large villages have to address factors related to demographic changes,
urbanization, management challenges, water supply infrastructure and the introducing of water demand
management activities. Households in small villages need provision of water from more sustainable
sources while ungazetted settlements need better access to clean water