January 2002 Public Disclosure Authorized
-- community-based WaterAid- | WaterAid has been active in Hitosa and Gonde Iteya in Arsi Zone and Robe Maliyu in upporte'd program in the Arsi ancdl Bale Zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia for the last ten years. The three large-scale alePublic Disclosure Authorized Zones of- O romi a, Ethipia, gravity-fed water supply schemes have been implemented in partnership with Water Action, an s demoristrating' effective community anagement.Three separate indigenous non-governmental organization (NGO), and have involved close collaboration nanagem.ent.' Three- separate,I ravity-fed water supply schemes ha've- | with local communities and with the Oromia Water, Mines, and Energy Resources Development mprovedthequalityandaccessibilityofU Bureau (OWMERDB). Physical implementation in Hitoso was completed in 1995, in Gonde taersupplied to rural and poor urban Iteya in March 2000, and in Robe Maliyu in Morch 2001 (except for final work on some ouseholds,with nearlyi200,000 people- | extensions). Community-elected bodies and their salaried staff are now responsible for all
Iready served (design population activities required to sustain ond manage the schemes. ' 60,000). Two rnain factors have | ¢,Gonde lleya: Water Supply, Sanitation and ontributed to the success of- these | iOygiene lEducation Project System Layout t . - AMU 55 chemes.-Firstly, the development of a DAN HU&W A articipatory managemen't structure that- I IEDOJONGO
as-'passed-onPublic Disclosure Authorized ownership of the j , IEOCKISA < \ ystem to local comrmunity members at zm, c '. 11levels' and -se-condlj, effective- ocal financial managemerit (the OGONDLAE
isconnection- of non-payers, for NDE3 xample, has encouraged high levels- BAOESA 41 f payment for water services).
rogress still needs to be mode in such BEKERJANO natters as the provision of water for V00A ivestock, and the promotion of proper V28 anitation and hygiene practices. I AAIODAG ___SH____\_SRN articipatory evaluations indicate that- DEFLECTION POINTS oPUBLIC WATERPOINTS ommunity-managed differentiated mHULAWE LE AR - PIPELINE ROUTE ariffPublic Disclosure Authorized levels and cross-subsidiztion do ,o RESERVOIR ssist -in providing a service to the 0 WATER TANK a BREAKPRESSURE oorest community members. t VILAGE - - UNSURVEYED ROUTE - PIPELINE COMPLETED
_ < g 9 < NOT TO SCALE NOT COMPLETED
° A(Do°
j j0, ~~~~~~~~~~~~96; , Hitosa Gonde lteya Robe Maliyu Population served 71,000 65,000 126,000 Overall cost (millions US$) 1.72 1.29 1.88 of scheme Cost (US$) per capita 22 19 15 Coverage 28 villages 23 villages 14 peasant associations 3 small towns lteya Town 1 large town 2 small towns Length (km) of pipeline installed 142 112 151 No. of public tap stands 122 82 84 Nor. of private connections 506 2 6 Annual water consumption 159,421 m3 99,324m3 Unknown Per capita daily consumption 8 liters 6 liters Unknown
Management Model fully owned and managed by Hitosa The key to the success of these community-elected bodies. Institutional arrangements for water schemes is the level of community This participatory approach has met supply management with clear lines of participation in management. Each with tacit approval from regional communication and authority ore firmly scheme has evolved differently and governmental authorities and many of established in Hitosa (see 'Basic displays some unique characteristics. the 'essons learnt have been Management Structure' box). The However, all schemes have one incorporated into Oromia's regional administrative units associated with this important feature in common: they are water policy and guidelines. management structure are as follows: The Water Management Board (WMB) is in overall charge of the scheme and comprises 62 members from all sections of the local community. Convening WMB meetings
-Z on a regular monthly basis with all A l 1 - ] j , ^ . : 62 members present has inevitably proved difficult. It was therefore iiJj tI| decided to appoint an Executive r stX (; w> r 2 ; h . \ i j f : l Committee composed of five board members and four local government f-i ' - .;; V s C / \;/ , officials, thereby providing an important link between the local community and
-. k _ & I, > 0! the woredas (districts) and kebeles (sub-districts) that constitute the local +11 government structure. The Executive
F> t |S7 ° i ;~ > ' ffi } W . Committee isaccountable to the WMB. The Water Administration Office
a- > , _ pb < ret _ \(WAO) is the central body responsible
-- i for the day-to-day running of The nine members of the Executive Committee at Hitoso water supply operations in Hitosa. \} a t/ x ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4-M 7
(WAT- -
Queuing has not been eradicated altogether -the tap stands are open during a few morning and afternoon hours, partly to reduce the top attendonts' working hours. Note the elevated stand for water containers -higher on one of the sides- making the lifting easy for adult women and young girls alike
Salaried staff manage the system, read Hygiene Communicators (see below), division of responsibilities and to meters monthly, collect charges, and and encourages expansion of the provide dedicated services the WAO disburse funds. The WAO also service by promoting additional privote is split into three units: technical, coordinates the activities of Village connections. To ensure effective administration, and finance. The WAO is accountable to the Executive LHitosa: Basic Management Structure |Committee of the WMB. __ _ ,, _ _ _ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Communitiesmaintain on WaterMaagement o=ard (W B) j F ~Water and ! active interest and stake in the 31 Women - UAS-: system through community-based C-om nittee-S Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) -~~~~~~~ ele;Ct-the WMB, and Committees. One male and one Exet-utivv-e Co.....mmi.ltt-e e mor71tor and evaluate female member of each WATSAN * ~~5 coruiybnes the- performance of 4Governmn Hios:Oflil aagmetasc trcurteWOa CommitteeCmmtteof the standWMBtem on the WMB, village level bringing agrossroots perspective to the highestechelons of the water-supply
'Water Admil-ilifretail- Offi-ce (WAO) I management structure. The WATSAN 1 ~~~~Technical U-nit -(4 staft)-l I Committees provide a vital link I ~Administration Unit (6sto) Finance Unit (64 stof{;-niIcluNg tap between private ond public customers attendonts and Village Hygiene to. and the formal manaement structure andyoung girls alike Other groups who assist the efficient and sustained operation of the The Livestock Question scheme include Village Hygiene Livestock watering is a critical rural water demand that needs to be fully Communicators (VHCs) who operate integrated into water supply system design: at the local level, stressing the vital link * Livestock water consumption was never included in the original system between water usage and hygiene; and design of the Oromia WaterAid projects. If animal husbandry is to be tap attendants, numbering 61 in improved and livestock watering encouraged through the construction total, who dispense water from tap of cattle troughs, the design capacity of each water supply system is stands, collect the fees due, and use likely to be exceeded within a few years. their contact with the community to * Livestock represents a significant asset within the Ethiopian context and advise on water and hygiene matters. wealthy farmers moy be willing and able to pay for additional services. Communities in Hitosa are Subsequent income would be welcomed by each WAO and could be justifiably proud of their integrated rural reinvested in capital items and the development of new sources. It and urban management system and could also be used to cover the cost of any major repairs expected in are content with the present the near future. management structure. * On the other hand wealthy farmers, especially those with large herds Gonde lteya and of livestock, are among the local elite who tend to dominate water supply management, and they can use their influence to avoid paying Robe Maluyu set toriffs. The more recent Gonde Iteya and Robe Themaoiy secheme usneIthey basicRobBefore communities embark upon new schemes and tap into the potential Maliyu schemes use the bosic for livestock watering, careful investigation of all the relevant factors is maongement model provided by necessary. The potential exists to improve the socio-economic status of water user groups through improved animal husbandry anrd increased are at an eadlier stage of implementation areatand earlutierstgeof, implementation meat and milk production. In addition, the increased revenvTe generated from water soles would allow communities to plon for reinvestrent, and to defined. arrangements are less clearly contemplate the possible expansion of eeich-scheme. In Gonde Iteya, the water supply system is fully managed by a Water (35,000 people) and the rural villages Financial Management Management Committee (the respectively. Despite the differing institutional equivalent of Hitos.'s WMB). At present The Robe Maliyu scheme is being arrangements operating in the there is no independent WAO, though plans are afoot to adopt a similar completed with ddditional funds. The three project sites, communities system to that established in Hitosa. Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and display a strong sense of ownership. As regards Robe Maliyu, Development Fund (ESRDF) has agreed This is confirmed by their willingness , , ,,, . ~~~~~~~~~topay set water tariffs and take communities have long held the view to part-finance eight villages (about finacial r ifor ate that a central executive body (like a 13,000 people), matching a massive suppl systemsinlth futur WMB) is needed to integrate the supply systems in the future 33 percent contribution from the (poie aeutjsifcio urban and rural water supply 33pret(provided adequate justification communities themselves. Local components of the scheme. It has IS given for various project recently been agreed that there will be government and locally hired staff will expenditures). Recent evaluations one Water Board with overall implementtheprojectusingthe'WaterAid have shown a high degree of responsibility, while two separate Approach' to ensure community motivation amongst both salaried staff WAOs will deal with Robe-town participationinmanagement. andvolunteers. . In communities already connected, yield. The discharge capacity of sources There are seasonal variations in the water meters are functioning and read at all three sites remains underused and 'demand which affect cash revenues monthly. The efficiency of bill collection consumption is generally low, collected by the WAO. During the is high (exceeding 90 percent), and particularly in rural communities. Some rainy season demand for piped salaried top attendants are collecting and of the reasons for this are as follows: water falls as people harvest depositing cash efficiently. The a Long-standing habits of rainwater for domestic consumption communities maintoin a high level of economizing on wateruse and use alternative surface water trust in financial management systems. * Limited number of top stands sources for livestock. Average Defaulting on payments is not a * Inconvenientor limited hours of monthly consumption rates rise significant problem; on an average, operation of tap stands significantly during the drier months. fewer than five customers a month * Inadequate household storage Accounting systems need to be more are temporarily disconnected in Hitosa facilities responsive to the subsequent variations due to non-payment of water bills. * Lack of affordability in cash inflow over the year. Income from water sales currently Perhaps surprisingly, considering exceeds running costs (including staff the higher cost of water purchased from Future Initiatives salaries and minor maintenance) at this source, watervendors still operate This review of the Oromia region all three sites. It still remains to be in both rural and urban areas. People. WaterAid pilots suggests the seen whether the costs of capital reportedly buy woter when they have a following lessons and suggestions to depreciation and future investment can pressing need and top attendants are enhance the future effectiveness of be incorporated into the financial unavailable to provide the necessory water supply schemes: structure. service, or when the nearest top Increasing Revenues There isa complex interrelationship stand is some distance from the point Through Additional betveen supply, demand and potential of delivery. Private Connections In an attempt to boost revenues, the Hitosa: Seasonal Variation in Consumption Rates WAO in Hitosa hopes to increase the 10000 number of private connections. Demand ishigh despite the higher price of water supplied privately. However, the one-off connection charge.is often felt to be prohibitively expensive. _ . _ To encourage the installation of new 000 private connections, the WAO is CL5000 EjW considering a variety of measures, c F a including linkage with a micro-credit O . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Facssarnd Figures (1999/2a000) 3 TotalAnnualConsumption 159,421 m provider or recovering connection Total Annual Water Sales 193,510.80 Birr Total Revenue Collected 255,800.65 Birr charge by instalments Total Ependiture 156 093.14 Birr Surplus Revenue 99,707.51 Birr increasing the volume tariff. Increasing Rural 0o Consumption Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Effective hygiene education and Month promotion of sanitation may well encouragewateruserstoincreasetheir of water that can be purchased in a awareness could be raised to personal consumption rates. Such single transaction using the smallest help all users understand the programs could draw attention to the unit of Ethiopian currency (the 5¢ correlation between capital high incidence of eye and skin diseases coin) is 50 liters (approximately two reinvestment and sustainability. that exist in the area, the need for large jerry cons). Transporting and Clarifying the Role of regular bathing, loss of earnings due storing this volume of water is difficult WATSAN Commiftees to medical expenses, and lost and impractical for the average The roles and responsibilities of produdtivity due to disease. Inaddition, household. A voucher system, WATSAN Committees need to be increasing the number of tap stands andreasingtroduingumere conveninta hs whereby individuals can buy low-unit updated and redefined. In the first and introducing more convenient hours uhr hc lo mle ntne h vouchers which allow smaller instance, the role of Committees was of operation could help in improving consumption rates. quantities of water to be drawn and to organize labor and community purchased, isalready in place in some inputs during the construction phase. Facililtatinag Householl1 communities, and could be Moving from this phase to the Storage and advantageously extended to other operation and maintenance of a water Transportatioon. supply scheme requires new insight, communities. At an average cost of 1 birr (100¢) training and renewed commitment. per 1000 liters, the minimum volume Enhancing Community Raising Awareness of Typical Volume Charges Commitment to Gender Issues SustainabilitySustainabilil', Although, at community level, Type of Charges The majority of people are willing WATSAN committees have a hig her Waterpoint (Birr per m3 WASNcmite)aeahge Publictopstand 1.00 (USp ) and able to pay for water at proportion of women members, it Domesticconnection 1.50(US$0.18) the prevailing tariff Some users tends to be men who assume Non-domestic 1.70 (US$0.20) already understand indefinite leadership roles. In addition, domestic connection service provision. Nevertheless, responsibilities often make it difficult for women to be more active.in Connection Charges community affairs. WaterAid and Water
Fixed Charges Charges,inBirr Action are trying to increase the Permission fee 5.00 (US$0.59) involvement of women through gender Estimation fee 10.00 (US$1.1 8) training and consultation with women Fiber cost 5.00 (US$0.59) on such issues as hygiene, the timing of training workshops, and the siting Deposit of tap stands. Domestic connection 15.00 (US$1.78) Assisting Disadvantaged Government connection 75.00 (US$8.88) Members of the Others (NGOs, organizations) 30.00 (US$3.55) Mmbnity C:ommunity Variable Charges Certain sections of the community, Technicalservice 40%ofmaterialcosts such as the elderly, the disabled, Excavation cost Soil 2.00 (US$0.23)/m 3 and members of female-headed Gravel road 6.00 (US$0.71)/m 3 households, can struggle to keep up Asphalt road 12.00 (US$1.42)/m 3 with payments. Fortunately, there is a feeling amongst wealthier community members that something must be done latrine slabs and suitable * Provide basic training for locol to provide a safety net for them. pit-lining materials artisans Communities themselves are able to * Lack of relevant building skills * Promote and provide information identify poorer households that may amongst rural communities on the benefits and use of public have difficulty paying for water, and * Inability of some households communal latrines where space who may benefit from some form of (e.g. the elderly or disabled) to dig is limited subsidization. latrine pits * Intensify hygiene education to raise
Encouraging Latrine * Lack of space for latrine awarenessofthedangersof open- Construction construction in more densely field defecation An appreciation of the benefits of populated areas * Cross-subsidize latrine construction properly constructed latrines, including * The habit of open-field defecation, using surplus funds from water disease prevention, is widespread in all particularly amongst those living on sale revenues communities. A certain level of prestige the periphery of built-up areas * Introduce phased payment is also attached to having a private * Shortage of funds to purchase the schemes, possibly with the help latrine'similarto those intown'. Despite required materials of existing community-based this, rural communities remain poorly In an attempt to increase latrine self-help cooperatives or local served and facilities are often coverage and to improve hygiene financing mechanisms inadequate. The main reasons practices WaterAction, in collaboration identified by WaterAid and its p'artners with WMBs and WAOs, intends to: Conclusion include: * Provide communities with These large-scale, gravity-fed * Lack of knowledge of low-cost informationonappropriatelow-cost water supply schemes provide an options for effective sanitation options (including locally excellent model for future development * Limited access to concrete available materials) programs in Ethiopia and elsewhere.
%-.? X * ../ > - , . s -- Their success is attributable to 0 Effective training: In the early days - several factors: of the schemes, selected trainees 0 Administrative capacity building: from each village were trained in i- Water and Sanitation Program Since it started funding plumbing and construction, :.The World Bank, Hill Park, ~ projects in Ethiopia in 1983, health, home economics, finance, THe
WaterAid has worked with and administration. Thus a core -- *
an increasing number of of skilled personnel was - partner organizations, including available to operate the project Tel: (254-2) 260300, 260400 government departments. In from its inception. elefax: (254-2) 260386 1995, WaterAid helped estoblish Community management: Water Action, a local NGO, Delegation of ownership of which is now seen as an effective the schemes to the local agent in the country's community has proved to be a
water and sanitation sector. major incentive to sustained N . Thus, the groundwork had been commitment to the responsibilities References
laid for the accommodation of associated with management, °so_ [ .I -h ii r 19- - I~ rsh I, r' -,c-19°8:'-.'.;' ; the Oromia project into the maintenance, and finance. L - W er- t jl^ commun&'teAIrity i,,1. Tsige I,.- iCr, .J,,.ii regional administrative system. 0 Positive community perceptions o Quality of design and of the schemes: The affordability Kathy !it" li c; ; p- construction: The extension of the of water in relation to the .np I *,,- and-' . ,,;.:,--,.,, -
Hitosa Supply Scheme to include perceived benefits in terms W saterSuppl aies Gerry Gay, the lowland villages showed a of water supply, sanitation, r- and Mihal Wood OxfOm'9939> most effective use of the two hygiene, and general social Th is§,;Field Nc,' -is pr-ppr-. b available springs. The elaborate and economic welfare has - - r- .-...; _. ... .-. planning and organization of encouraged the community as Jiohn aw0son clar Pr L F labor involved in laying a network a whole to feel committed to the RosdeLiJindr:'- -1 : r,dT -rL.,,r.L of pipes radiating to mcny villages maintenance and protection of *-- reviewed it It isbased on' projects sppodrted was effectively undertaken. the whole system. l-'v W;a,terid -Ai prov-ide' 't e |-phtggh s /S SfV;_ %* -W-
d~~~
I,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,
v N r , > -- S Jan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-6uary-ouaa 2002-_~~~-,'v - The Water and San.itation Program ison', 1s <
¢ r v h I . 'U' S9 - 1 X SeD e.2 nrniark, h Frane, GermanLye Luxembourg, *,-Jf . Netherlands,-1 \| i 1. Norway, ^ ss Sweden, LSwitzerland, United Kingdom; ; -4 ri the United Nations Development. Progr'amme, and the World Bank
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