Community water system infrastructure assessment in rural Uganda. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirochnick, Neil C.; Russo, Tess A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of water. Volume 10:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 359
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: water infrastructure -- rural development -- poverty alleviation -- Millennium Villages Project -- MVP -- monitoring -- performance evaluation -- rural communities -- Uganda -- piped water -- water consumption -- financial sustainability -- clean water sources -- socio-economic activities -- public health benefits -- drinking water -- water quality; Water -- Periodicals; Water resources development -- Periodicals; 553.705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-6620

Abstract

In 2012, the Millennium Villages Project (MVP) and its partners launched the Ruhiira Community Water Supply Project (CWSP) providing piped water to ∼5, 400 people (82% of the local population). The sustainability of water systems across Africa is known to be woefully inadequate and in response the CWSP was built using a full-systems approach, considering system design from source to distribution, local economics, maintenance and adaptability. In 2013, the CWSP served the expected number of people; however, consumption was only 15% of the year-one prediction, based on the 20 L/d/person millennium development goal water access indicator. Consumption was a major determinant of financial sustainability and the CWSP operated at a loss during its first two years of operation. The CWSP reduced community members' distance to a clean water source and had a small impact on socio-economic activities, but did not lead to clear public health benefits.