Steps to sustainability: a road map for WASH
This paper presents a strategy for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2 (universal access to clean water and to adequate sanitation and hygiene) in the context of rural Uganda. With participation of the Ministry of Water and Environment, a group of local government representatives have consulted in a series of workshops and meetings over the past five years. This ‘Learning Alliance’ has been hosted by a Ugandan social enterprise, Whave Solutions. The alliance undertook a systems analysis that identified key barriers to effective WASH delivery, such as financial disincentive for preventive maintenance. A regulatory structure and service delivery public–private partnership (PPP) approach was developed and implemented through practical maintenance contracts in more than 200 communities. The PPP key elements were performance payment for preventive maintenance, reliability assurance contracts between a service utility and rural communities, proposed new by-laws, standard constitutions, banking and legal status for the management committees of communities, and institutionalized monitoring. The paper describes how staged implementation of these elements has potential to transform the prospects for financial viability of reliable and universal water access in line with SDG 6.1, and how this process improves investment in piped supply as a key method of improving sanitation access and hygiene, in line with SDG 6.2.Biteete, L. and van Lieshout, R. (2013) Applying the Life Cycle Cost Approach in Uganda for Improved Financial Planning and Budgeting, Addis Ababa: Presentation at IRC Symposium. <http://www.fontes.no/org/documents/Biteete_Lieshout_Applying_the_life-cycle_costs_approach_in_Uganda.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Davis, S. (2014) Guidelines for Resolution of Problems with Water Systems [pdf], Improve International <www.issuelab.org/resources/19492/19492.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Eyotaru, O. and Namuloki, J. (2017) ‘Uganda: National Water, govt plan to cut prices of water’, The Observer [online], 10 May 2017 <http://allafrica.com/stories/201705100404.html> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A. (2015) Effective WASH: A Results-Driven Approach to Improved Reliability and Hygiene [pdf], Whave <http://whave.org/assets/docs/WASH%20effectiveness-OnePageBrief-WHAVE-October%202015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Waibi, J. (2015) ‘Public–private partnership model for WASH effectiveness’, 38th WEDC International Conference [pdf], Loughborough <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/38/Harvey-2271.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Goring, E. (2016) ‘Steps to sustainability: public–private partnership in WASH’, 7th RWSN Forum ‘Water for Everyone’ [pdf] <https://rwsnforum7.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/full_paper_0194_submitter_0250_goring_emma.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, P. and Reed, B. (2004) Rural Water Supply in Africa: Building Blocks for Hand-Pump Sustainability [pdf] Loughborough: WEDC <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/books/Rural_Water_Supply_in_Africa_-_Complete.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Hope, R. (2015) ‘Is community water management the community’s choice? Implications for water and development policy in Africa’, Water Policy 17(4): 664–78 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wp.2014.170>.
Howard, G. and Bartram, J. (2003) Domestic Water Quantity, Service, Level and Health [pdf], Geneva: World Health Organization <www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/WSH03.02.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
IRC (2015) Progress Report on Roll Out of Sub-County Water Supply and Sanitation Boards in Lira [pdf], Kampala: IRC <https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/20150427_swssb_progress_report_april_2015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) (2016) Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2016 [pdf], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SPR-2016_final.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
MWE (2017) Uganda Water Supply Atlas [online], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <www.wateruganda.com/> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Schouten, T., Smits, S. and Butterworth, J.A. (eds.) (2015) From Infrastructure to Services: Trends in Monitoring Sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services [pdf], Rugby: Practical Action Publishing <www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780448138> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2014) Uganda National Household Survey 2012/2013 [pdf], Kampala: UBOS <www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/UNHS_12_13/2012_13%20UNHS%20Final%20Report.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Biteete, L. and van Lieshout, R. (2013) Applying the Life Cycle Cost Approach in Uganda for Improved Financial Planning and Budgeting, Addis Ababa: Presentation at IRC Symposium. <http://www.fontes.no/org/documents/Biteete_Lieshout_Applying_the_life-cycle_costs_approach_in_Uganda.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Davis, S. (2014) Guidelines for Resolution of Problems with Water Systems [pdf], Improve International <www.issuelab.org/resources/19492/19492.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Eyotaru, O. and Namuloki, J. (2017) ‘Uganda: National Water, govt plan to cut prices of water’, The Observer [online], 10 May 2017 <http://allafrica.com/stories/201705100404.html> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A. (2015) Effective WASH: A Results-Driven Approach to Improved Reliability and Hygiene [pdf], Whave <http://whave.org/assets/docs/WASH%20effectiveness-OnePageBrief-WHAVE-October%202015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Waibi, J. (2015) ‘Public–private partnership model for WASH effectiveness’, 38th WEDC International Conference [pdf], Loughborough <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/38/Harvey-2271.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Goring, E. (2016) ‘Steps to sustainability: public–private partnership in WASH’, 7th RWSN Forum ‘Water for Everyone’ [pdf] <https://rwsnforum7.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/full_paper_0194_submitter_0250_goring_emma.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, P. and Reed, B. (2004) Rural Water Supply in Africa: Building Blocks for Hand-Pump Sustainability [pdf] Loughborough: WEDC <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/books/Rural_Water_Supply_in_Africa_-_Complete.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Hope, R. (2015) ‘Is community water management the community’s choice? Implications for water and development policy in Africa’, Water Policy 17(4): 664–78 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wp.2014.170>.
Howard, G. and Bartram, J. (2003) Domestic Water Quantity, Service, Level and Health [pdf], Geneva: World Health Organization <www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/WSH03.02.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
IRC (2015) Progress Report on Roll Out of Sub-County Water Supply and Sanitation Boards in Lira [pdf], Kampala: IRC <https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/20150427_swssb_progress_report_april_2015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) (2016) Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2016 [pdf], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SPR-2016_final.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
MWE (2017) Uganda Water Supply Atlas [online], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <www.wateruganda.com/> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Schouten, T., Smits, S. and Butterworth, J.A. (eds.) (2015) From Infrastructure to Services: Trends in Monitoring Sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services [pdf], Rugby: Practical Action Publishing <www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780448138> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2014) Uganda National Household Survey 2012/2013 [pdf], Kampala: UBOS <www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/UNHS_12_13/2012_13%20UNHS%20Final%20Report.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Biteete, L. and van Lieshout, R. (2013) Applying the Life Cycle Cost Approach in Uganda for Improved Financial Planning and Budgeting, Addis Ababa: Presentation at IRC Symposium. <http://www.fontes.no/org/documents/Biteete_Lieshout_Applying_the_life-cycle_costs_approach_in_Uganda.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Davis, S. (2014) Guidelines for Resolution of Problems with Water Systems [pdf], Improve International <www.issuelab.org/resources/19492/19492.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Eyotaru, O. and Namuloki, J. (2017) ‘Uganda: National Water, govt plan to cut prices of water’, The Observer [online], 10 May 2017 <http://allafrica.com/stories/201705100404.html> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A. (2015) Effective WASH: A Results-Driven Approach to Improved Reliability and Hygiene [pdf], Whave <http://whave.org/assets/docs/WASH%20effectiveness-OnePageBrief-WHAVE-October%202015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Waibi, J. (2015) ‘Public–private partnership model for WASH effectiveness’, 38th WEDC International Conference [pdf], Loughborough <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/38/Harvey-2271.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Goring, E. (2016) ‘Steps to sustainability: public–private partnership in WASH’, 7th RWSN Forum ‘Water for Everyone’ [pdf] <https://rwsnforum7.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/full_paper_0194_submitter_0250_goring_emma.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, P. and Reed, B. (2004) Rural Water Supply in Africa: Building Blocks for Hand-Pump Sustainability [pdf] Loughborough: WEDC <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/books/Rural_Water_Supply_in_Africa_-_Complete.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Hope, R. (2015) ‘Is community water management the community’s choice? Implications for water and development policy in Africa’, Water Policy 17(4): 664–78 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wp.2014.170>.
Howard, G. and Bartram, J. (2003) Domestic Water Quantity, Service, Level and Health [pdf], Geneva: World Health Organization <www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/WSH03.02.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
IRC (2015) Progress Report on Roll Out of Sub-County Water Supply and Sanitation Boards in Lira [pdf], Kampala: IRC <https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/20150427_swssb_progress_report_april_2015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) (2016) Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2016 [pdf], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SPR-2016_final.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
MWE (2017) Uganda Water Supply Atlas [online], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <www.wateruganda.com/> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Schouten, T., Smits, S. and Butterworth, J.A. (eds.) (2015) From Infrastructure to Services: Trends in Monitoring Sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services [pdf], Rugby: Practical Action Publishing <www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780448138> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2014) Uganda National Household Survey 2012/2013 [pdf], Kampala: UBOS <www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/UNHS_12_13/2012_13%20UNHS%20Final%20Report.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Biteete, L. and van Lieshout, R. (2013) Applying the Life Cycle Cost Approach in Uganda for Improved Financial Planning and Budgeting, Addis Ababa: Presentation at IRC Symposium. <http://www.fontes.no/org/documents/Biteete_Lieshout_Applying_the_life-cycle_costs_approach_in_Uganda.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Davis, S. (2014) Guidelines for Resolution of Problems with Water Systems [pdf], Improve International <www.issuelab.org/resources/19492/19492.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Eyotaru, O. and Namuloki, J. (2017) ‘Uganda: National Water, govt plan to cut prices of water’, The Observer [online], 10 May 2017 <http://allafrica.com/stories/201705100404.html> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A. (2015) Effective WASH: A Results-Driven Approach to Improved Reliability and Hygiene [pdf], Whave <http://whave.org/assets/docs/WASH%20effectiveness-OnePageBrief-WHAVE-October%202015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Waibi, J. (2015) ‘Public–private partnership model for WASH effectiveness’, 38th WEDC International Conference [pdf], Loughborough <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/38/Harvey-2271.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, A., Mukanga, J. and Goring, E. (2016) ‘Steps to sustainability: public–private partnership in WASH’, 7th RWSN Forum ‘Water for Everyone’ [pdf] <https://rwsnforum7.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/full_paper_0194_submitter_0250_goring_emma.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Harvey, P. and Reed, B. (2004) Rural Water Supply in Africa: Building Blocks for Hand-Pump Sustainability [pdf] Loughborough: WEDC <http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/books/Rural_Water_Supply_in_Africa_-_Complete.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Hope, R. (2015) ‘Is community water management the community’s choice? Implications for water and development policy in Africa’, Water Policy 17(4): 664–78 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wp.2014.170>.
Howard, G. and Bartram, J. (2003) Domestic Water Quantity, Service, Level and Health [pdf], Geneva: World Health Organization <www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/WSH03.02.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
IRC (2015) Progress Report on Roll Out of Sub-County Water Supply and Sanitation Boards in Lira [pdf], Kampala: IRC <https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/20150427_swssb_progress_report_april_2015.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) (2016) Water and Environment Sector Performance Report 2016 [pdf], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SPR-2016_final.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
MWE (2017) Uganda Water Supply Atlas [online], Ministry of Water and Environment, Government of Uganda <www.wateruganda.com/> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Schouten, T., Smits, S. and Butterworth, J.A. (eds.) (2015) From Infrastructure to Services: Trends in Monitoring Sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services [pdf], Rugby: Practical Action Publishing <www.developmentbookshelf.com/doi/pdf/10.3362/9781780448138> [accessed 21 May 2017].
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2014) Uganda National Household Survey 2012/2013 [pdf], Kampala: UBOS <www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/UNHS_12_13/2012_13%20UNHS%20Final%20Report.pdf> [accessed 21 May 2017].
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