Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region DRAFT The Sustainability of Water Supply Schemes A case study in Alaba Special woreda Israel Deneke and Habtamu Abebe Hawassa March 2008 Working Paper 5 Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region (RiPPLE) Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region (RiPPLE) is a five-year research programme consortium funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). It aims to advance evidence-based learning on water supply and sanitation (WSS) focusing specifically on issues of planning, financing, delivery and sustainability and the links between sector improvements and pro-poor economic growth. RIPPLE Working Papers contain research questions, methods, preliminary analysis and discussion of research results (from case studies or desk research). They are intended to stimulate debate on policy implications of research findings as well as feed into Long-term Action Research. RiPPLE Office, c/o WaterAid Ethiopia, Kirkos Sub-city, Kebele 04, House no 620, Debrezeit Road, PO Box 4812, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Acknowledgements The authors of this paper would like to thank the following for their invaluable support and time: • The Woreda LPA members for their support and time; • Desta Dimste, SNNPR Regional Facilitator, RiPPLE • Aschalew Sidelil, Alaba Special woreda Facilitator, RiPPLE • Tsegaw Hailu, Mirab Abaya woreda Facilitaor, RiPPLE • GaP theme members 1 Working Paper 5: The Sustainability of Water Supply Schemes: A case study in Alaba Special woreda DRAFT Contents Executive summary................................................................................................................. 6 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 9 2 Research background and methodology ....................................................................... 11 2.1 Background to the study area...........................................................................................................11 2.2 Background to RiPPLE, GaP theme and the case study..............................................................11 2.3 Objectives of the study and research questions...........................................................................13 2.4 Tools, methods and sampling............................................................................................................14 2.5 Study implementation..........................................................................................................................15 2.6 Data analysis ..........................................................................................................................................17 3 Findings............................................................................................................................. 18 3.1 Sustainability, functionality and service level of water services.................................................18 3.2 Resource availability at the WATSANCo and Woreda level....................................................26 3.3 Knowledge, attitude and practices of service providers and users..........................................29 4 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Institutional factors ..............................................................................................................................31 4.2 Financial factors ....................................................................................................................................44 4.3 Technical factors ..................................................................................................................................52 5 Conclusions and recommendations............................................................................... 55 5.1 Conclusions ...........................................................................................................................................55 5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................................57 References .............................................................................................................................. 59 Annex 1: Checklists and questionnaires.............................................................................. 61 Annex 3: Water point and scheme mapping ...................................................................... 84 Annex 3: Visual leadership and coordination model.......................................................... 97 2 Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region (RiPPLE) List of tables and figures Figure 3.1: Number of schemes installed by different implementers............................................. 18 Figure 3.2: Proportion of functional and non-functional schemes .................................................. 19 Figure 3.3: Major reasons for the non-functionality of water points ............................................. 20 Figure 3.4: Non-functional water points at Lower Lenda and Ashoca .......................................... 20 Figure 3.5: Non-functional scheme, Bendo........................................................................................... 20 Figure 3.6: Queuing up waiting for the opening of the water point............................................... 23 Figure 3.7: Queuing up with jerry cans on both sides of the water point.................................... 24 Figure 3.8: Women and girls travelling home after collecting water ............................................. 24 Figure 3.9: People fetching water from ponds, Felga ......................................................................... 25 Figure 3.10: WWRDO and spare parts/hand tools donated by PINF and UNDP........................ 27 Figure 4.1: WATSANCos of Choroqo and Debeso during FGDs ................................................. 33 Figure 4.2: Hand tool store and WATSANCo office at Ashoca and Choroqo........................... 35 Figure 4.3: Operator of Upper Tuka with the only maintenance tool .......................................... 36 Figure 4.4: Budget released to the WWRDO, 1995-2000 EC........................................................ 37 Figure 4.5: Human resources of the WWRDO, 1995-1999 EC..................................................... 38 Figure 4.6: People fetching water from unprotected springs, Lower Arsho................................ 45 Figure 4.7: Cattle drinking water below the severely leaking tanker............................................. 46 Figure 4.8: Financers of schemes installed in the Woreda ............................................................... 50 Figure 4.9: Generators of submersible and mono pumps................................................................. 53 Table 3.1: Functional and non-functional schemes and water points............................................ 19 Table 3.2: Schemes and their important features.............................................................................. 21 Table 3.3: Annual income and expenditure, Choroqo, 1997-1999 EC, Birr............................... 25 Table 3.4: WATSANCo equipment and saving.................................................................................. 26 Table 3.5: Budget allocated to and utilised by the WWRDO, 1995 -2000 EC.......................... 26 Table 3.6: Human and physical resources of WWRDO.................................................................. 28 Table 3.7: Alaba water and sanitation human and physical resources.......................................... 28 Table 4.1: Organisers and number of trainings given to WATSANCos...................................... 34 Table 4.2: Monthly income and expenditure, Choroqo, 1997-1999 EC...................................... 48 3 Working Paper 5: The Sustainability of Water Supply Schemes: A case study in Alaba Special woreda DRAFT List of Acronyms ADA Alaba Development Association ADB Asian Development Bank BoFED Bureau of Finance and Economic Development BoWR Bureau of Water Resources DBH Deep Borehole CBO Community-based Organisation DFID UK Department for International Development EC Ethiopian Calendar ESRDF Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and Development Fund FGD Focus Group Discussion FN Functional GaP Governance and Planning GPS Global Position System IDR-AA U Institute for Development Research Addis Ababa University IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre KAP Knowledge, Attitude and Practice LAR Long-term Action Research LPA Learning and Practice Alliance MDG Millennium Development Goal MoU Memorandum of Understanding MoWR Ministry of Water Resources NF Non-functional NGO Non-governmental Organisation NRW Non-revenue Water O&M Operation and Maintenance ODI Overseas Development Institute PINF People in Need Foundation PSAASCR Prince Sultan Abdul-Aziz Social Committee for Relief QIS Qualitative Information System RiPPLE Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile Region R-WaSH Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 4 Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region (RiPPLE) SNNPR Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region SPSS Statistical Package