WSPs in rural settingsUsing WSPs as a tool for mobilising rural communitiesUsing WSPs as a tool for mobilising rural communities

Margriet SamwelMargriet Samwel

WECFWECF

WWF - Istanbul 17.03.2009WWF - Istanbul 17.03.2009www.wecf.euwww.wecf.eu

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OutlineOutline

• Background: Why WSPs in rural settings?Background: Why WSPs in rural settings?• Stakeholder analysisStakeholder analysis• A new approach of WSPs for small scale water A new approach of WSPs for small scale water

supply systemssupply systems• Experiences with WSPs for schoolsExperiences with WSPs for schools• Conclusion and demands for scaling-up Conclusion and demands for scaling-up

WECF projects on Water and Sanitation in cooperation with local NGOs

in rural areas in 13 countries

• Afghanistan Afghanistan • ArmeniaArmenia• AzerbaijanAzerbaijan• BelarusBelarus• BulgariaBulgaria• GeorgiaGeorgia• Kazakhstan Kazakhstan

• Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan • Moldova Moldova • RomaniaRomania• UzbekistanUzbekistan• Tajikistan Tajikistan • UkraineUkraine

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Experiences in WECF projects Experiences in WECF projects in rural areasin rural areas

• In rural settings the drinking water quality often does not meet the requirements of the EU Drinking Water Directive

• Extremely high concentrations of nitrate and bacteria are found

• Pollution is mostly caused by local human activities

• Low awareness on local level

• Problem identificationProblem identification does not lead to action from local citizens and authorities

• The Protocol on W&H and WSP are not known at local level

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2. The Parties shall, in particular, take all appropriate measures for the purpose of ensuring:

(a) Adequate supplies of wholesome drinking water which is free from any micro-organisms, parasites and substances ......

This shall include the protection of water resources which are used as sources of drinking water, treatment of water and the establishment, improvement and maintenance of collective systems;

Protocol on W&H Article 4 GENERAL PROVISIONS

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Example of Example of rural network diagramInstitutional structures

National level: drinking water directive

Regional level: ImplementationEnvironmental-health authorities- laboratories

Local health centre

Mayor

SchoolNGO

CommunityPublic Wells

Individual Wells

Citizens

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Some key problems in rural settingSome key problems in rural setting

• No strategy for local water protection or recovery of water qualityNo strategy for local water protection or recovery of water quality

• Usually maintenance and operation are the responsibility of the mayorUsually maintenance and operation are the responsibility of the mayor

• If done- regional authorities check only the drinking water quality If done- regional authorities check only the drinking water quality

• Low level of communication between the authorities of different disciplinesLow level of communication between the authorities of different disciplines

• Staff of public utilities is subject of political changeStaff of public utilities is subject of political change

• Small settlementsSmall settlements have no priority in national or regional water programmes have no priority in national or regional water programmes

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• WSP can be developed for small scale water supply WSP can be developed for small scale water supply systemssystems

• WSP can be used as a tool for involvement and WSP can be used as a tool for involvement and mobilisation of communities and all stakeholdersmobilisation of communities and all stakeholders

• The approach of safety plans can be transferred to other The approach of safety plans can be transferred to other systems such as management of rainwater, wastewater, systems such as management of rainwater, wastewater, surface waters and sanitation systemssurface waters and sanitation systems

WECF recognises opportunities of WSP

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What we did:Adaptation of the WSP approach for small scale water

supplies to schoolchildren

Development of:

• Manual in local language

- Introduction of WSP

- Background information for teachers

- Suggestions for activities

- Questionnaires for different stakeholders

- Checklists for supply systems

- Examples of mapping findings

- Forms for reporting results

• Toolbox WSP for schools

- Tools for water test- nitrate, organoleptic

- Poster- Manual

http://www.wecf.de/english/publications/2008/wspmanual-romania.php

Zur Anzeige wird der QuickTime™ Dekompressor „TIFF (LZW)“

benötigt.

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Introduction of WSP in villages and training of teachers

Introduction• Public - school meetings• Testing nitrates in drinking water• Providing information about the WSP

Workshops - training of teachers:• Identification and selection of the activities and

responsibilities

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September 2008September 2008

Start WSPs in 10 schools in Moldova & RomaniaStart WSPs in 10 schools in Moldova & Romania

Findings:Findings: High acceptance and enthusiasm for

developing WSP with children and citizens among teachers

All involved schools created a suitable All involved schools created a suitable action plan for developing a WSPaction plan for developing a WSP

Schools have a high potential for Schools have a high potential for mobilisation, cooperation with all mobilisation, cooperation with all stakeholders and for awareness raising stakeholders and for awareness raising on all levelson all levels

WSP at schools create a high ownership WSP at schools create a high ownership for environmental issuesfor environmental issues

Involving schools in nitrate monitoringInvolving schools in nitrate monitoring• Mapping of nitrate pollution in village

• Monitoring the seasonal fluctuation of nitrate

• Tools: Tools: Nitrate quick test - Thermometer - Measuring cup for Nitrate quick test - Thermometer - Measuring cup for

precipitationprecipitation

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Example of mapping nitrate in wellsExample of mapping nitrate in wellsBelarus, Ecoproject

Example of monitoring seasonal fluctuation

050

100150200250300350400450500550

05.11.0402.12.0409.01.0506.02.0506.03.0503.04.0529.04.0527.05.0524.06.0522.07.0519.08.0517.09.0515.10.0513.11.0511.12.0508.01.0605.02.06

NO3 (mg/l)

national standard 1 2 3 4 5

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Example: health and water questionnaireExample: health and water questionnaire

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What will be done with the results?

• Awareness raising on local and regional (national) level Awareness raising on local and regional (national) level Maps, poster, reports, presentation, exhibitionMaps, poster, reports, presentation, exhibition

• Community based development of plans for improvement of Community based development of plans for improvement of access to safe water and minimising the health risks: access to safe water and minimising the health risks: Making work plan - timetable - budget- business planMaking work plan - timetable - budget- business plan

• Advocacy for access to safe drinking waterAdvocacy for access to safe drinking water

• Improving the WSP manual for schoolsImproving the WSP manual for schools

• Replication of WSP at schools in 10 EECCA countriesReplication of WSP at schools in 10 EECCA countries

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Conclusion and demands for scaling upConclusion and demands for scaling up

• WSP can be used as an instrument for mobilising communities and authorities on all levels

• Developing WSP at schools should be included in the regular curriculum

• WSP programme could bridge a divide between local communities and the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health

• Involvement of the civil society/NGOs can increase the process of guiding the Protocol on Water and Health from the top to the bottom

Thank you Thank you for your attention!for your attention!

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