How to improve the management of small

community water supplies at a policy and programme level

Robyn Grey-Gardner

Small community water supplies

Small Community Water Supplies serve rural villages and towns, individual households, vacation or holiday homes, and camping grounds. SCWS are best defined by their challenges which typically include:

– operators that are often under-trained– Remoteness and isolation– Harder to leverage financial and political support– larger percentage of the population is vulnerable– Larger geographical spread (sparsely located)– Larger per unit cost of materials and construction

• About half the world’s population live in rural locations and are typically served by SCWS.

• SCWS are vulnerable to breakdown and contamination do not receive adequate attention or investment.

• Investing in SCWS and the development of appropriate policies, programmes and regulations is a strategic investment. The greatest benefits are preventing illness and death and associated health costs. Other benefits include the increased potential for livelihood activities, education and business development and long-term sustainability of small communities.

Background

A water kiosk at Kayunga, Uganda

Source R. Grey-Gardner

Responses to overcome barriers at policy level

Benefits to implementing a WSP approach in policy:

• Will identify short- and long-term investment needs

• Inclusion of training and capacity building in policy and practice (institutional and local)

• Inclusion of communication plans in policy and practice

• Stakeholder engagement• WSP implementation can be implemented

as a legal requirement • Establishing cross-institutional partnerships

Handpump, PeruSource M. Campos

There are many resources that support inclusion of WSP approach including examples of best practice, resources and guidance materials.

Responses to overcome challenges at programme level

• Using cell phone technology to transmit inspection and monitoring data to service providers (South Africa)

• Partnering certified operators with community operators to provide technical support and education (Canada)

• Using graphic based pamphlets to educate community members on water safety and preventive maintenance of water supplies (Bangaladesh)

• Producing a water management kit for small water supplies to enable improved water management planning for service providers and community members (Australia)

Strategic stepsfor SCWSM

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/WHS_WWD2010_small_systems_2010_4_en.pdf

SMALL AND SAFEA document that highlights the reduction of waterborne disease and

the potential reduction in health costs.

Increasing profile

Developing countries:the return on a US$ 1 investment is US$ 5.975. The rate of return is related to the potential to significantly decrease mortality rates.

Developed countries:the return on a US$ 1 investment is US$ 2.786.The rate of return is related to costs averted (from a crisis) and productivity gained. Typically have adequate water supplies and so their focus is on the proper design and adequate maintenance and management of supplies.

THINK BIG, START SMALL, SCALE UPA Road Map to support country-level implementation of Water Safety Plans

The “road map” is directed towards governments and regulatory entities tasked with revising or developing new drinking water policies, programmes and regulations.

A series of steps has been identified that describe how to proceed with the implementation of WSPs.

Strategic stepsfor SCWSM

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/WHS_WWD2010_roadmap_2010_10_en.pdf

Handpump near Kayunga, Uganda

• Be persistent. Progress can be slow. Policy-making can be fragmented, non-strategic and opportunistic

• Be consistent. Integrate the WSP approach to assist stakeholders at all levels improve the management of SCWS for which they are responsible.

• Think Big. Benefits are broad ranging and include increased potential for livelihood activities, education and business activities that increase sustainability of small communities.

Strategic stepsfor SCWSM