Impact of technical and institutional issues on the sustainability of rural water supply: The case of Mandura Woreda,Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Access to safe and adequate water is vital for preservation of human health and socio-economic development. However, it is lacking in most of rural areas of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State in general and Mandura woreda in particular. In addition to limited provision of this basic service in the study area, significant numbers of water supply schemes that contribute for service coverage are also poorly managed, provide service with problems and others malfunctioning at any time. As a result, the number of people accessed to safe water has reduced. This study therefore, has attempted to assess the impact of technical and institutional issues on sustainability of rural water supply schemes in Madura woreda. In carrying out the study, the researcher selected 216 household beneficiaries by using systematic random sampling from eleven water supply scheme (4 functional and 7 non-functional). Data obtained from household survey were mainly analyzed quantitatively while information from focus group discussions, key informant interview and personal observations were analyzed qualitatively to supplement data from household survey. As far as the findings, the survey result found that sustaining the proper functionality of the schemes has been one of the major problem and foreseeable bottlenecks in the study area. The study found that 57.1% of water supply schemes are malfunctioning during the time of the survey. In addition, most of the functional schemes are also found poorly managed and provide service with problems. The survey result revealed that schemes are managed by communities through water committees who are responsible for the overall management of the schemes. However, the study found that water committees were not capable of managing the schemes properly as they lack the skills and basic trainings on the financial, technical and overall management. The study also revealed that communities were not fully participated especially during planning phases. In all sites of the scheme, there are local technicians who are responsible for technical aspects of the scheme. However, the study found that they were inadequately trained, lacks technical skills to carry out operation and maintenance as well as ill-equipped. Absence of spare parts at all levels was also identified as one of the major problem to carry out repairs when needed. The study also found that none of the implementing agencies have ensured availability of spare parts for community as well as allocated budget for it. Communities were also unable to meet all costs of operation and maintenance due to weak fee collection mechanisms and its management as well as lack of spare parts. The study also revealed that week support systems to community in part of implementing agencies were one of the reasons for failures of keeping water supply scheme sustainable. In addition, weak coordination among stakeholders which is explained by absence of adequate monitoring, evaluation and supervisions during the construction of water supply schemes was identified as the reasons for poor construction quality. Limited institutional capacity of the woreda Water, Mines and Energy Resources Development Office was also found as the other major factor that limits sustainability of water supply schemes in the study area. Therefore, the finding call for the need to give due attention to sustaining the existing schemes through meeting the needs of water committees, enhancing community participation in water supply sector, capacitating the woreda Water Mines and Energy Resources Development Office with the necessary resources, ensuring availability of spare parts for communities as well as need a strong coordination among stakeholders to support the water sector. Key words in the study are: sustainability of rural water supply, community management, appropriate technology, and institutional frame work and community participation.