An Assessment of Local Government Service Delivery: The Case Of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Burayu City
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The estimated water service level of Ethiopia in terms of coverage, quantity, quality, and reliability is among the lowest in the world. Sanitation facilities are also in worst condition. Due to unreliability of safe and inassailability of safe and sufficient water supply and adequate sanitation facilities the estimated service level could be in much less situation. These combine effect of the poor water supply and sanitation facilities in the country have high impact on the economic development of the country and the living condition of the towns‘ communities (OWRMB, 2010). This study was conducted to assess the existing water supply and sanitation service delivery of Burayu city, Oromiya National Regional State, Ethiopia. To achieve the objective of the study, a total of 350 household heads were randomly selected and interviewed by using a semi structured questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through questionnaire, personal observation, and key informant interviews. In addition, different documents from secondary sources were reviewed. The collected data were analyzed using a descriptive statistics. The survey result revealed that the city water supply cannot fulfill consumer demand for water. Only 60% of the population have a water supply service from the city administration. Inadequate water source, electric power supply problem, lack of institutional capacity and budget shortage are the basic factors for this imbalance. In line with this, the most frequent complains by water customers were regular interruption of water supply, ill hospitability of the office and unfair water distribution. The collected data also showed that there is prolonged water shortage in two kebeles (Leku Keta and Gefersa Nono) of the city. Consequently, in order to narrow the supply and demand gap, expansion of water supply services that match with the town development must be carried out, the city water supply and sewerage service enterprise should devise a mechanism (such as increase production, using modern technology, using alternative power generation) so as to assure the equitable distribution of water among the residents and the concerned stakeholders (Ethiopian electric power authority, the city administration, NGOs) should discharge their respective responsibilities properly.
Key words: local governance, service delivery, water supply, sanitation, Burayu city