Time series analysis of water consumption in the Hohoe municipality of the Volta region, Ghana

Abstract

<p>Water is considered as a lifeline of all living things, especially humans; hence its availability is a critical component in the measurement of human wellbeing through the Human Development Index (HDI). Its production and distribution in Ghana, particularly in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region is a challenge. This study seeks to identify the best-fit time series model to the water consumption data in the Hohoe Municipality and to forecast water consumption in the Municipality. This underpins the development of a time-series model for forecasting water consumption levels of the residents, institutions and businesses in the municipality. Several time series models, including AR, MA, ARMA, ARIMA and SARIMA were fitted to the data, and it emerged that the most adequate model for the data was ARIMA (2, 1, and 2). The model was then used to forecast the consumption for the next four years, to advise Ghana Water Company Limited in the municipality to meet the demand of the people.</p>