Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ nrc.2014.020402

Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural : The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, West Zone, Ethiopia

Fitsum Dechasa Kibret*, Fikirte Demissie Tulu

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Copyright © 2014 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved

Abstract In rural Ethiopia, although considerable efforts Water supply plays the most important role in both social have been made to improve and expand access to potable and economic development. Improved public health, better water supply, many Ethiopian rural communities still suffer living standards and economic development are intimately from lack of safe drinking water. This research work intends related to the availability and access to adequate potable to assess the challenges of potable water supply in selected water supply and sanitation. It has been widely argued that rural kebeles1 of Gonji Kolela woreda2 in Amhara National safe and adequate supplies of water together with proper Regional State, Ethiopia. Survey findings of the research sanitation are basic needs and essential components of show that, of the total 292 sample respondents those who use primary health care [8, 15, 11]. hand dug well, developed spring and rope pump accounts Access to safe water for drinking and sanitation should be 47.9%, 12% and 8.9% respectively. The remaining 31.2% of available to every human being, now and in the future [17]. the respondents are still using either river or unprotected Realizing the critical importance of supplying potable water, spring for their domestic consumption. Evidences from the a number of diversified and multipurpose international, data revealed that the challenges for adequate provision and regional and national governments, local and international management of improved water schemes in the study area NGOs exerted their efforts and invest huge capital every year are multifaceted including lack of adequate technical and at global scale in general and in developing countries in financial support from zonal and regional water resource particular, where water supply is relatively scarce, to ensure bureau; inadequate skilled man power; inaccessibility of an improved provision of safe water supply service [14]. underground water or intermission of the water after digging However, despite many years of development efforts, water wells; lack of adequate support from the community; access to improved water supplies and sanitation services in inaccessibility for transportation and absence of spare parts the world continues to be extremely marginal. More than one shop and equipments in the nearby area. Thus, strengthening billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and the institutional capacity in the planning of water supply over 2.5 billion people have inadequate sanitation [21]. The projects at local level should be a timely measure to majority of the world’s populations without access to increase the adequacy of improved water supply and sustain improved water supply or sanitation services live in the functionality of the existing improved water supply developing regions mainly in Africa and Asia [14]. schemes of the area. Moreover, the number of people who lack access to improved water supply could increase to 2.3 billion by 2025 Keywords Potable Water supply, Sustainability, Water [12]. Scheme, Community Participation Lack of sustainability of the water supply infrastructures being one, most of the development efforts that have been done so far in most areas are constrained by different factors [6, 1, 7]. The problem is worse in many parts of the 1. Introduction developing nations, particularly in rural areas, where many people lack enough water to stay healthy. Inhabitants of rural areas representing 84% of the global population use 1.1. Background to the Problem unimproved sources of drinking water, such as surface water, unprotected spring water, unprotected well water, and water from tanker trucks [14]. Furthermore, people have to travel 1 The smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia long distances to collect water and often the water that is 2 Administrative unit, in Ethiopia, higher than Kebele 60 Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural Ethiopia: The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, , Ethiopia available is not safe to drink. inadequate water supply and unhygienic waste management In short, although a worldwide recognition has been given [1]. to the importance of safe water supply and many efforts have In Amhara National Regional State potable water supply been exerted so far; in many parts of the developing nations coverage is low at only 30% [18]. Though the coverage in the like Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas, it remained marginal Region has been higher than the country total, according to a [1]. Hence, explaining this failure and knowing that water survey in 50 Woredas, still about 70% of households do not supply problems have multiple impacts on people's health, have access to water supply, using unsafe water from wells, education and nutrition, and could prevent a country from rivers and ponds. As a result, many people suffer from water reaching its development potential, a lot of effort is required born diseases. Parasites, diarrhea and vomits (14%) are the to change this situation. Thereby, the researchers boldly second top diseases in the region next to malaria (48%) [10]. underline the need for undertaking a research work that aims In the country, at both the national and regional scale, the at identifying the challenges of adequate and sustainable issue of rural water supply is recognized as critical and is rural water supply system in Ethiopia. reflected in national rural development policy and poverty reduction strategies. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWRs), along with the support of many international and 1.2. Statement of the Problem local governmental and non-governmental organizations, is Even though Ethiopia has abundant water resources, for actively involved at the grassroots level to improve the centuries many Ethiopian people have suffered from lack of situation, though potable water supply coverage is still in its access to safe drinking water and it has not yet benefited the infancy in many parts of the country, particularly in rural population to any significant extent [1, 9]. Recently, despite areas, where 84% of the population lives [1]. Different its poor and largely rural population, and despite a historic attempts and research works have been also made in legacy of low investment in infrastructure, Ethiopia has been different parts of the country by different governmental making substantial progress in increasing water supply organizations, individuals and voluntary sectors to identify coverage. Thus, rural water supply coverage has increased at the causes for failing of adequate and sustainable rural water promising rates since 1990, from 8 percent to 26 percent supply system. As an output those previous studies identified according to Joint Monitoring Programme figures, and from some of the causes. However, it is not possible to generalize 11 percent to 62 percent according to government figures [2]. that similar factors are responsible in other rural areas of the However, although this could represent significant progress, country like Gonji Kolela woreda of Amhara National many of these reforms remain incomplete, and monitoring Regional State where the problem is also serious but no any rural water supply coverage across such a large population study has yet been conducted. Moreover, as the level of investment in rural water supply by international and and geographic area is also a challenge [1, 2]. national organizations increases, more specific information In Ethiopia particularly in rural areas access to potable is needed on the challenges, both at the planning and water supply and sanitation services are among the lowest in implementation phases, of rural water supply systems of sub-Saharan Africa. National water supply coverage in 2004 different areas. was estimated at 36.7% with urban water supply coverage In line with the above assertion and to find a estimated at 82.5% and rural water supply at only 24.2% [1]. comprehensive way out to the problem, there should be The figure shows that as compared to the large rural detailed studies which aim at investigating the challenges of population potable water supply coverage in the rural areas potable water supply systems in different rural parts of the of Ethiopia is very marginal and it still remains very low country. Therefore, the study on the challenges of water because of limited progress in water supply activities in these supply in rural kebeles of Gonji Kolela woreda is an attempt areas. Hence, the majority of drinking water sources in rural in this dimension. Ethiopia are still rivers, streams, hand-dug wells, and intermittent springs, none of which are protected from flooding or livestock, wildlife, and human contamination [1, 1.3. Objectives of the Study 2]. The general objective of this research is to assess the Despite the low coverage figures, in Ethiopia, it is also challenges of potable water supply system in selected rural quite common to observe non-functional water sources kebeles of Gonji Kolela woreda; West Gojam zone, without adequate protection. About 33% of rural water Ethiopia. supply projects in the country are estimated to be Specifically the study intended: non-functional which could be attributed to different factors [1]. This means that effective coverage is even lower. In the To look at the existing major sources of water and dry months, most of the rural people and livestock depend potable water supply schemes in the study area. primarily on traditional water sources such as rivers, streams To explore constraints related to potable water supply and lakes, which are very often contaminated. Majority of and management systems in the study area. households lack knowledge of personal hygienic practices as To assess the level and the type of community a result of which a large percentage (up to 70% in rural areas) participation and contribution in the development of of cases of morbidity and mortality is attributable to water supply schemes in the study area. Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 61

Figure 1. Location Map of Gonji Kolela Woreda

2. Research Methods and Materials approach with a central premise of; the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach 2.1. Study Area Description alone [4]. Hence, the mixed approach that is used in this Gonji Kolela woreda is one of the 105 woredas of research employs strategies of inquiry that involve collection Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. It is part of of qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously to best West Gojjam zone of the region. Geographically Gonji understand the research problem under investigation. The kolela woreda is located 11005’ to 11020’N (Latitude), study was guided by the principles of multiple sources and 37020’ to 37053’E (Longitude) and within the altitudinal subsequent crosschecking of information as well as by range of 1400-4300 meter above sea level. This woreda is applying various data collection instrument and analysis bordered by four woredas, namely in the techniques- both quantitative and qualitative. north, in the south, Quarit in the west and in the east [5]. 2.3. Data Sources Climatically, Gonji Kolela woreda falls into three A combination of both quantitative and qualitative data climatic zones known as "Dega" , "Woinadega" and from both primary and secondary sources was generated. "Kolla" . The mean annual temperature level of the woreda The primary data was collected from residents of the sample ranges from 200c - 300c. It receives a mean annual rain fall rural kebeles, officials of the woreda’s and sample rural of 1700mm-2000mm [5]. kebeles’ water bureau and from field visit. In an effort to According to the 2007 national population and housing supplement the primary data and make this research work census, Gonji Kolela woreda has a total population of more valid and worthy, relevant secondary sources pertinent 106,656 of which 53,669 are male and 52,987 are female to the study were consulted. Accordingly, official statistics [3]. The dominant ethnic group of the woreda is Amhara. and reports available in water projects implementing Amharic is the dominant language spoken by the great agencies' offices were the major sources of secondary data portion of the population. for this study. Moreover, different written documents both published and unpublished- books, journals and research 2.2. Research Design works in relation to the issue under consideration; Generally this study can be seen as a descriptive government policy and strategy were reviewed to cross-sectional study with a central task of investigating supplement the study. challenges of rural water supply system in selected rural kebeles of Gonji Kolela woreda. The study used a mixed 2.4. Method of Data Collection 62 Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural Ethiopia: The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

As the study used a descriptive cross-sectional research researchers selected the study woreda purposely having the design the data was collected for multiple cases at a single information from officials of rural water bureau of West point in time. To meet the intended objectives of the research, Gojam Zone as it is one of the woredas where water supply is primary data was collected from households and concerned poor but no any study has yet been conducted that could offices using questionnaire, interviews and observation identify the causes for failing of adequate and sustainable checklist. Prior to the commencement of the actual data water supply system in the area. The woreda has one town collection, pilot test was conducted to check the workability and 24 rural kebeles with rural population of 102,404 and of the household survey questionnaire and accordingly some urban population of 4,252 [3]. The research focused on the adjustments were made. The actual household survey was rural kebeles of the woreda and thus it employed a multi carried out from July to September, 2012. Open and close stage sampling technique. ended questionnaire was employed to collect primary data from the households about the provision of water service; First stage: Selection of Sample Rural Kebele functionality of rural water supplies; the level and the type of Administrations community participation in the development of water supply From the existing 24 rural kebeles of the woreda, a total of schemes; willingness of the community to sustain the system; eight rural kebeles were selected as a sample. To select the level of consumers’ satisfaction for the service provided and sample kebeles, first the existing 24 rural kebeles were institutional support during design, construction and stratified into two dominant ago-climatic zones of the maintenance phases. Informal discussions were also woreda - Kolla and Woinadega. Then, to have a conducted with user communities to get further information. representative sample, 3 kebeles, namely Zanat, Wegel Interviews were also held with woreda experts and sample Zegansa and Weleke, out of 10 Kolla rural kebeles and 5 kebeles’ water project coordinators about their support to the kebeles, namely Sheba, Ginb Geregera, Kore Tenkere, community on water service management through MentaDeber, Gonji, out of 14 Woinadega rural kebeles were community tanning and awareness creation; communities’ randomly selected. participation in the development and management of the water schemes; and the challenges of potable water supply in Second stage: Selection of Households the study area. To understand the realities of the water supply As beneficiaries are the main primary data sources of this system field visits were also conducted. The field study, from the total of 5840 households of the eight sample observation helped the researchers to identify the standard of rural kebeles a total of 292 households, which was construction of the water schemes; the status or functionality proportionally allocated for the respective sample kebeles, of the available water supplies; and the way of protection of were included in the sample population (Table 1). Then to the water schemes. maintain the representativeness of the study, respondents were picked systematically at a distance of every ith 2.5. Sampling person/household/. i = N/n Where, ‘N’ is the total number HHs of a sample The focus of the study is on the challenges of water supply rural kebele and ‘n’ is the number of sample HHs of the in the rural areas of Gonji Kolela Woreda of West Gojam kebele. Zone, in Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. The

Table 1. Summary of Household Survey Sample Size

House Holds Woreda Agro Climatic Zone Sample Kebeles Number of Total Households Number of Sample Households

Zanat 480 24

Kola Wegel Zegansa 580 29

Weleke 440 22

Sheba 600 30 Gonji Kolela Ginb Geregera 1162 58

Woina Dega Kore Tenkere 1158 58

Menta Deber 740 37

Gonji 680 34

Source: Field survey data, 2012 Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 63

Figure 2. Map of Sample Kebeles

2.6. Method of Data Analysis analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative The data, both quantitative and qualitative, gathered data are integrated to handle the research problem. through each tool was organized, analyzed and interpreted to meet the objectives of the study. For data analysis, 3. Results and Discussion combinations of quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The quantitative data collected through household 3.1. Overview of Water Supply Schemes, the Water survey/questionnaire/ was organized and analyzed in a way Sources and Use Practices in Gonji kolela Woreda that first the responses for the close ended questions were edited, coded and feed to computer by applying appropriate 3.1. 1. Overview of Water Supply Schemes software (SPSS version 17). Then descriptive statistics According to the statistical report of the woreda’s rural mainly frequency, percentage, cross tabulation and mean water resource bureau, so far a total of 467 water supply values was computed for analysis purpose. points (410 hand dug wells, 20 rope pump, 34 spring On the other hand the qualitative data collected using open development, 2 shallow well and 1 deep well) were ended questions of the survey questionnaire; interviews held constructed in the 24 rural kebeles of Gonji kolela woreda with technical staff members of the woreda water bureau, (Table 2). Of these water points, during the study time, 399 kebele administration officials and water committees and were functional and 21 were found to be non-functional. using informal discussions with the user communities was From the 24 rural kebeles, in three of them, namely, in organized and analyzed qualitatively through content Weleke, Zanat and Fiche none of these improved water analysis. For this, first, the tape recorded information, and supply scheme types exist. Most of the water projects are the note from the informal discussion and field observation designed in coordinated manner. The Finnish International was transcribed and translated from the local language Development Agency (FINNIDA) provide the fund and the (Amharic) to English. Second, by reading through all of the regional government undertake detailed study on essential qualitative data, it was reviewed and organized to develop a matters like the depth at which water could be accessed; the general understanding of the data set and short memos were level of the water flow and the sustainability of the water prepared which will best help in organizing and categorizing amount and flow. Experts of the region participate in the the data in to concepts either by question or by case. Then, entire activity of the project from site selection up to project through narrative description the results of the entire establishment. They also provide technical support after the qualitative data was analyzed and interpreted. Lastly, the launching of projects. 64 Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural Ethiopia: The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Table 2. Water Scheme Types in Rural kebeles of Gonji Kolela Woreda

Water Scheme Type Rural Kebeles Hand Dug Well Rope Pump Spring Development Shallow Well Deep Well Total Gonji * 35 6 2 - - 43 Ginb Geregera* 43 1 2 1 - 47 Qolela Kusquam 34 5 - - - 39 Abadray 11 - 1 - - 12 Dem Dingay 19 - 1 - - 20 Yenachi 31 - 4 - - 35 Sheba * 31 1 - - - 32 Ardesa Eyesus 10 - 2 - - 12 Washera 24 - 5 - - 29 K/Gebreal 22 - - - - 22 Akile 20 - 2 - - 22 Debay 9 - 2 - - 11 Kenchechil 13 - 2 - - 15 Debre Medhanit 7 - 1 - - 8 Wegel Zegansa* 5 - - - - 5 Kore Tenkere* 40 4 2 1 1 48 Weyzazert 24 2 2 - - 28 Menta Deber* 32 1 - - - 33 Weleke * - - - - - 0 Angofe - - 2 - - 2 Zanat * - - - - - 0 Gar Ginbet - - 1 - - 1 Fiche - - - - - 0 Shebele - - 3 - - 3 TOTAL 410 20 34 2 1 467 * Sample Kebeles Source: Gonji Kolela Woreda Water Bureau, 2012 3.1.2. Current Major Water Sources, Water Use Practices and Similar to other rural parts of the country, in the sample Existing Improved Water Supply Schemes in the kebeles fetching of water is usually the responsibility of Sample Kebeles. women and children. Of the total respondents for 67.8% and The survey finding on the current water source (figure 3) 14.7% of the sample households fetching is the portrays, hand dug well, developed springs, rope pump, responsibility of women and children respectively. The rivers and unprotected springs are the major sources in the remaining 17.5% reported that fetching is the responsibility sample kebeles. It was also found out that, except in Zanat of others (relatives or cowboys). Men/husbands fetch water and Weleke, hand dug well used by 47.9% of the sample only when children and women are not able to do so (for respondents is the dominant current water source in other example when they get sick). In almost all sample Kebeles kebeles (figure 4). Developed spring and Rope pump women and children travel, on an average, 2 times per day account for 12% and 8.9% of the total respectively. Whereas, using a 20 liter of jerry can or traditional clay pot (with those, who are currently using river and unprotected spring capacity of 25 liters on an average) to fetch water from the as a source of water account for 18.2 % and 13% of the total water source. respondents respectively, which could be one indication for Looking at the average distance of the current water the inadequacy in the supply of water in the area. source from home, of the total respondents the majority In order to have a full picture about the current water 45.9% reported that the current water source is located at an sources, respondents were also asked about the estimated estimated distance of 700 or more meters. The next great distance of the current water source from their home, proportion of respondents 22.9% accounts for those who estimated average time taken for a single trip and estimated travel an approximate distance of 100- 300 meters. Only average waiting time at the water source to fetch water. 3.4% reported to travel less than 100 meters.

Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 65

Source: Computed from the primary data collected for the study, September, 2012.

Figure 3. Current Major Water Sources of Sample Kebeles

Source: Computed from the primary data collected for the study, September, 2012.

Figure 4. Respondents’ Proportion by Current Major Water Source

66 Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural Ethiopia: The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Regarding the average time taken for a single trip to fetch found to be adequate and hence they are not satisfied with it. water from the current water source the statistical finding of Only 13.7% of the respondents reported as they are fully the survey indicates that 62% of the total respondents spend satisfied with the amount of water as it is adequate for their on an average approximately 30 to 60 minute. About 19.5% household daily consumption. The remaining 51% suggested of the respondents reported as they need more than an hour. that though the water amount may not be adequate for their The remaining 18.5% need less than 30 minutes. In addition household daily consumption, as they currently have a better to the longer hour for the trip, majorities of the respondents access they are partially satisfied. are also forced to wait longer at the water source. Furthermore, as the statistic in table 3 indicates, in the Accordingly, 58.2% of the total respondents spend on an sample kebeles of the existing water scheme types hand dug average between 30 to 60 minute at the water source to well which accounts 89.4 % is the dominant one, followed by secure water needs and 32.5 % spends less than 30 minute. rope pump and spring development accounting 6.3% and Still 9.3% of the respondents reported as they wait more than 2.9 % respectively. As to the status of the water schemes one hour. The majority of the respondents also explained that during the study time 94.7% were functional and 5.3% were waiting time is higher for hand-pumps than the protected non- functional. The statistic further portrays that from the springs, due to the single get-valve and the requirement of sample kebeles in two of them, namely, Zanat and Weleke labor and time to pump water. They further state that the none of the water supply scheme types exist. required time increases significantly during the dry season as All these implies that water facilities should be as the water volume decrease, and even in some areas it may accessible as possible to all segments of the population to dried up. better satisfy daily water requirements of individual Amount of water consumed per day was also the other residents. area of interest. Hence, respondents were asked about the average amount of water they use per day for domestic 3.2. Challenges of Improved Water Supply and consumption (drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes Management Systems in Gonji Kolela Woreda and dishes). Accordingly, the statistical finding indicates that, the majority (39%) of the respondents consume 20 or less The above findings - the existence of households who still liters of water per day per household which is below the depend on rivers and stream for domestic water need; standard stated by WHO. The next great proportion of the longer distance the majorities travel; the longer travel respondents (38.7%) consumes 21 to 40 liters per day per and waiting time to fetch water; the existence of household. Whereas, 18.2 % of the total sample respondents non-functional water schemes; the dissatisfaction of the reported as their household consumes 41-60 liters of water majorities with the water amount they get; and even the per day and the remaining 4.1% of the respondents consume none existence of either schemes in the two kebeles (Zanat more than 60 liters of water per day per household. and Weleke) suggest the inadequacy in the supply and Moreover, the respondents were also asked about the management of water in sample rural kebeles of Gonji adequacy of this water amount for their daily household Kolela woreda. consumption. The survey result revealed that for about 35.3% of the respondents the water used per day was not

Table 3. Type and Status of Water Schemes in Sample Kebeles

Water Scheme Type Functionality Status

Rural Kebeles Hand Dug Rope Spring Shallow Deep Functional Non-Functional Total Well Pump Development Well Well Kore Tenkere 40 4 2 1 1 47 1 48

Sheba 31 1 - - - 30 2 32

Ginb Geregera 43 1 2 1 - 45 2 47

Menta Deber 32 1 - - - 30 3 33

Gonji 35 6 2 - - 41 2 43

Zanat ------0

Wegel Zegansa 5 - - - - 4 1 5

Weleke ------0

TOTAL 186 13 6 2 1 197 11 208

Source: Gonji Kolela Woreda Water Resource Bureau, 2012 Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 67

As part of the assessment of the challenges for adequate covered by the office. The willingness of these people to pay provision and management of water schemes, interviews the maintenance fee is influenced by the availability of were held with the official of the woreda’s water resource alternative water sources in their locality. As they have bureau and with the sample kebeles’ water project alternative water sources, they could not respond coordinators. The interviews results generate the following immediately for the maintenance of inoperative water challenges being dominant: schemes, waiting for the woreda’s water office to cover the Lack of adequate technical and financial support from cost and maintain it. zonal and regional water resource bureau. The woreda’s water resource bureau officer reported that Inaccessibility for transportation the required technical, material and financial supports from In Gonji Kolela woreda most the rural kebeles are the region are not being adequately provided for the woreda. inaccessible for transportation. There is also scarcity of This highly deterred the woreda’s water resource bureau in vehicles. According to the account of the official of the performing well in water supply and management activities woreda’s water resource bureau there is only one double in the woreda. pickup car at woreda level. This makes difficult the general planning, implementation, monitoring and management Shortage of human resource activities of the water supply schemes of the woreda. According to the report of the official of the woreda’s Absence of spare parts water bureau, the number of workers in the woreda is far less adequate. Moreover, most of the workers are not experts As to the account of the woreda’s water resource bureau which highly limited the presence of at least a single expert official, there is no single spare part shop with in the woreda. at kebele level and thus restrain the timely response to They bring all the required materials for installation and maintain inoperative water schemes. Currently at kebele maintenance of the water schemes from the nearby woredas, level there is no trained supervisor. Hence, the responsible mainly from Yilmana Densa. Hence, the materials and persons for water affairs in the sample kebeles are the equipments could not be accessed at the required time. This kebeles’ administrators. This result in poor supervision and also highly deterred the adequate provision of potable water information gap between the woreda water resource bureau using the available water schemes as it restrains the timely and the kebeles, thereby timely measures could not be given maintenance of inoperative water schemes. if there is any failure on water schemes. 3.3. Community Participation in the Development and Inaccessibility and /or intermission of Underground water Management of Water Supply Schemes Inaccessibility and intermission of underground water is mentioned as big challenge predominantly in all kolla Community’s participation during and after project kebeles of the woreda. Both the woreda’s water resource implementation is a key issue of sustainability and has a bureau official and water resource coordinators of sample great role in the development of improved water schemes as kolla kebeles, (Zanat and Weleke), where water schemes are it is believed to increase the sense of ownership. Accordingly, totally absent, reported that this is a big challenge for from the study it has been found that, in the study woreda the improved water supply in these kebeles. According to their communities have shown active participation in initiating the report, in most parts of these and other kolla kebeles project idea and providing material, labor and financial underground water cannot be easily accessed, even after support. At the initial stage need assessment and promotion digging a well up to 30 meters. In some parts of these kebeles, activities is undertake at Kebele level. Once the community once they dig the well and access the water they face expresses the need, consultation and discussion is held intermission of the water. This is usually common to those between woreda’s water resource bureau and the community sites where there are huge rocks. In some other sites once the about the selection of site and technology type and expected water is accessed and the scheme is installed, the level of the support from the community. water flow decrease. As to the view of the official of the woreda’s water resource bureau and kebeles’ water project coordinators, the Lack of adequate support from the community majorities of the communities were willing and participated Despite the presence of people who have interest and highly in the development of the projects made so far. The willingness to support and participate in water scheme household survey support this fact; of the total 205 development, there are others who are not willing to support respondents who reported the presence of water scheme the project in any aspect, particularly in paying monthly fees around their locality, 88.3% stated as they participated in and maintenance cost. In each site of water schemes there is a different activities during project development. The monthly fee of 1 birr which is used for the salary of the guard remaining 11.7% reported as they did not participate and of the water scheme. As the report of the kebeles’ water hence initially they were not allowed to use the water project coordinators indicates, there are some service users scheme. who believe that woreda water office head is the owner of the From the interviewees’ account it has been found that the water service so that they expect whatever costs to be communities have shown active participation during project 68 Challenges of Potable Water Supply System in Rural Ethiopia: The Case of Gonji Kolela Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia initiation and construction/development phases; although according to government figures. Despite such much participation was not observed in selection of the site improvements, rural water supply coverage across such a and type of technology, as it requires some technical large population and geographic area is found to be a knowhow. The statistical report also supports this. Of the challenge; and so it is timely to assess the conditions in total respondents 85.4% confirmed as the project idea different parts of the country. Thus, this research is an emanated from the community; 82.4% reported as the site attempt in this direction. selection was done predominantly by the woreda water From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the office and 83.9% also asserted as they were not involved in water supply in the study area, Gonji Kolela Woreda, is far technology selection. less adequate due to multiple reasons. The study elicited the To have a full picture about communities’ contribution, main reasons why water supply systems have become data was collected on the type of support they provided. inadequate in the area. The woreda technicians or experts are Accordingly, it was found that, of 181 respondents who few in number and thus are not able to provide technical participated in the project development 44.8% contributed support in all sites of the woreda’s water supply schemes. their labor, money and local materials; 28.2% contributed Moreover, the institutional, technical, material and financial labor and money; 7.7% contributed labor and local material; support to the woreda water bureau was found to be very 7.2% contributed labor, money and local material; 5.5% weak, which highly deter the capacity of the bureau. This afforded only their labor and remaining 6.6% had weak institutional capacity was due to shortage of skilled contribution either in money or material. manpower, lack of logistics and lack of sufficient budget for In addition to participation during the project construction, monitoring and follows up and operation and maintenance. communities’ responsibility and participation in managing Building financial capacity for a well-organized and the water supply systems during operation is also the key for equipped woreda office requires partnership among the the sustainability of the schemes. Field observations had regional state, the local community as owners of the schemes, given a chance to observe communities’ participation in the and NGOs as supporter. Although there is a fairly good level management and use of the water schemes. The presence of of functionality in the woreda, in some of the water schemes fences and guards in most of water points is a positive partial and complete non-functionality were observed and participatory response from the beneficiaries reflecting their this highly limited effective coverage in the area. If desire to sustain the water schemes. The finding of the meaningful sustainability in water schemes is to be achieved, household survey and interviews with the water project renewing or replacing the system when it gets old or unable coordinators of the sample Kebeles also reflected the high to function, is paramount. degree of responsibility the majorities (197) assume and In the study areas, involvement of local communities to have in protecting and maintaining the long-term decisions related to development of rural water supply is performance of the water schemes. Hence, they are great. From the study it has been found that the participation performing different activities including paying service fee of local people during project initiation and development on time; labor and money contribution during operation and phases was significant. The willingness of the society to maintenance; protecting the schemes from damage and participate in and contribute to the development and contamination by fencing and planting trees. management of water supply projects was found to be In general, in the sample kebeles of Gonji Kolela woreda promising for further project planning and implementation in the existing participation and contribution of the community the area. in development and management of water supply scheme was found to be promising for future planning and Recommendation implementation of additional schemes in the area to enhance adequacy of water supply and better satisfy the community’s For the success in the achievement of sustainable rural water need. water supply coverage in Gonji Kolela woreda, it is recommended to give attention to the following major actions: 4. Conclusion and Recommendations To achieve meaningful sustainability with the right support framework and strengthen the managerial and technical capacity at woreda level, attention should be given Conclusion to capacity building in terms of manpower, logistics and The social and economic importance of provision of budget. Thus, appropriate, and sustainable financing potable water supply is widely recognized. Water supply strategies are required from regional and zonal bureaus not projects have impacts on people's lives, which extend far only for day-to-day management practices, but also for cost beyond the expected improvements to health and reduction recovery to replicate the system. in time spent to collect water. In order to keep water supply system sustainable, In Ethiopia rural water coverage has increased at there should be preventive and regular maintenance promising rates since 1990, from 8 percent to 26 percent program by local institutions. It is, therefore, according to JMP figures, and from 11 percent to 62 percent suggested that the woreda’s water resource bureau in Natural Resources and Conservation 2(4): 59-69, 2014 69

coordination with the community, and the zonal and Ababa, Ethiopia. regional water resource bureau should have to take a [4] J.W. Creswell, V.L. Plano Clark. Designing and Conducting timely measure in maintaining the non-functional Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publication University of water schemes. Nebraska Lincoln. New Delhi, India, 2007. Even though community participation by itself is not [5] Desta Horecha (2005): Inventory of Water supply schemes sufficient, knowing that the community’s need, and Database management. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. initiation and participation in the area is promising, [6] A. Harvey, A. Reed. Community-Managed Water Supplies in by mobilizing resources and finance, sector Africa: Sustainable or Dispensable? Community participants should design and implement additional Development Journal Vol 42 No 3 July 2007 pp. 365–378, water schemes to enhance water supply in the area. 2007. To strengthen the sustainability of water supply [7] H. Lockwood. Institutional Support Mechanisms for systems in the area there should be investment in Community managed Rural Water Supply & Sanitation training for households and water committee. The Systems in Latin America: Environmental Health Project, provision of training could enable them to undertake U.S. Agency for International Development Washington, DC a timely maintenance for inoperative water supply 20523, 2002. schemes. [8] Lechissa Edossa. The Impacts of Rural Water Supply and Finally, the importance of further detailed research to Management System on Livelihood of User Communities: A explore the hydro-geological aspect of the water Case of Babile Woreda, East Harerge Zone. M.A. Thesis, supply sources in the area, particularly in the drier College of Development studies. Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. parts, is highly recommended. [9] Mengesha Admassu, Abera Kumie and Mesganaw Fantahun. Sustainability of Drinking Water Supply Projects in Rural of Acknowledgement North Gondar, Ethiopia, 2002. [10] Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (2007): The researchers are very grateful to Bahir Dar University Rural Water Supply and Environmental Program in Amhara for its financial support to undertake this research. We owe Region, Phase IV. Program Document. our sincere gratitude to all of the authors of the materials that [11] G. Philip. Water and Sustainable Development in Ghana, we have reviewed in this research. We would like also to Water International, 24:3, 189-195, 1999. express our appreciation to the head of Gonji Kolela woreda water resource bureau and the staff members; and sample [12] Water Partner International (2006): “Water facts”, http://www.water.org/crisis/waterfacts.htm rural kebeles’ water project coordinators for hosting and providing us the required support and necessary data to [13] WHO and UNICEF (2008): Progress on drinking water and undertake this study. Besides, the enumerators deserve our sanitation: Special focus on sanitation. World Health warmest appreciation for their cooperation during data Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund, Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP). collection. We are also gratefully for sample household respondents of the study area whose trust, kind assistance [14] WHO and UNICEF (2000): Global Water Supply and and collaboration made this study possible. Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund, 2000. [15] Water and Sanitation Program-Africa. Rural Piped Water Supplies in Ethiopia, Malawi and Kenya: Community management and Sustainability, 2000. REFERENCES [16] Prokopy, S. (2005): The Relationship between Participation [1] African Development Fund. Ethiopia; Rural Water Supply and Project Outcomes Projects in India: Evidence from Rural and Sanitation Program appraisal report. African Water Supply, World Development 33, No. 11, pp. 1801– Development Fund, infrastructure department; north, east and 1819. south, ONIN June 2005, 2005. [17] World Commission on Water. Report of the World [2] African Ministers’ Council on Water. Water Supply and Commission on water. International Journal of Water Sanitation in Ethiopia: Turning Finance into Services for Resources Development, 2002. 2015 and Beyond. Country Status Overview, 2009/10 [18] Ministry of Water Resource (2007): Ethiopian Water Sector [3] Central Statistical Agency (2008): Summary and Statistical Strategy. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Report of the 2007 Population and Housing census. Addis Ministry of Water Resources 2001