Urban water supply systems improvement through water technology adoption

Technology adoption has become a favored strategy in urban water supply systems management to reduce the impact of changes in both climatic conditions and urban population growth. The urban water supply system of Ghana is conventional, with perceived rare use of modern technology. The adoption of water technology innovations by professionals who form part of the key stakeholders of water supply development is supposedly a precondition for improving the urban water supply systems. In the study, the attributes of diffusion of innovation model are applied to predict the intention of professionals' adoption to new water technologies using the structural equation model. The study finds that professionals' intention to adopt water technology innovations are influenced by the relative advantage; complexity and compatibility characteristics. Trialability and observability variables insignificantly influence the adoption of water technologies in the context of Ghana urban water supply system. •Water technologies adoption intentions of professionals in urban water supply system are estimated significantly positive.•Relative advantage, complexity and compatibility attributes are significant antecedents to adopting water supply technologies classified under three main categories (water sources; water treatment and water distribution technologies).•Trialability and observability attributes are not predictors of water technology adoption in the context of Ghana urban water supply system.•Socio-technical factors precipitate the adoption of water technologies in Ghana urban water supply systems.