Practices and Challenges of Community Managaged Rural Potable Water schemes in Delanta, Amhara Region
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was aimed to examine practices and challenges of community managed rural potable
water schemes in Delanta, Amhara region. The motivation for undertaking this study is to enable
community manage rural potable water schemes by itself effectively which determines its
success. In this study both primary and secondary data sources were used. The primary data
were collected through closed ended questionnaire was employed to collect quantitative data
from selected household, an interview guide was prepared and information was gathered
through unstructured interview of key informants and focus group while secondary data were
collected from was from government and non-governmental publications, annual and inventory
reports, previous studies, books and websites. Out of 4502 sample kebele population for the
study, 108 individuals were taken as a sample through random sampling techniques. The
collected data was analyzed through descriptive analysis using SPSS version 20. Water supply
schemes developed by government, NGO with participation of community in the rural areas of
Delanta woreda and developed water points, transfer to WASH committees so as to fill the
institutional gap at the grassroots. The results of the study revealed that potable water points
have not been managed as envisaged due to shortcomings in the approaches followed by
interventionists, inadequacy of the emphasis given to capacity aspects and low level of
commitment and participation in managing these schemes. As a result, service fees have not been
collected. They do not have financial record, auditing and reporting system. Out of 497
improved water points, 130 improved water points have faced breakages of various kinds due to
problems in operation and management. Most of these points were not maintained due to
financial constraints to cover maintenance expenses. Furthermore, users manifest dependency
feelings in that they require the government to maintain broken points. The institutional
arrangement was poor. There is no cooperation and integration among WASH committees,
woreda and zonal water office. These water offices have shown inadequate capacities to
contribute to the continued functioning of improved points. There has been inadequate
monitoring and support from local water offices to WASH committees. Recommendations were
forwarded by the researcher based on the results of the findings and conclusions of the study; as
designing objectives of approaches, participation, factors and institutional aspects very well;
providing adequate capacity building on improved water schemes to motivating community and
committees.
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Keywords
Community, Community management, Sustainable Management of Rural Water Supply System