Multiple-use services

The multiple-use services (mus) approach is an approach which aims to meet people's water needs for both domestic and productive purposes in an integrated manner.

The Rockefeller Foundation’s Multiple-Use Services Search

Robert Marten an Associate of the Rockefeller Foundation presented the results of the Foundation’s Multiple Use Services (MUS) search. This exercise meant to explore the policy, technical and other barriers that limit the scaling of MUS. In addition, it, also closely looked at how to make the MUS models more robust, how to scale MUS and its potential for impact.

Session at the World Water Forum 14 March 2012

Waterlines theme issue: “Multiple use is here to stay”

“Multiple use is a reality on the ground, and as in other aspects of our work, water sector professionals will have to learn to better address the needs and demands of users. There is a long way to go in terms of institutionalizing the multiple use approach and addressing multiple water needs at scale. MUS as an area of research and practical endeavour is here to stay”, writes Richard Carter in his editorial of a special theme issue on this topic of Waterlines, Volume 29, Number 1, January 2010.

Mutiple Use Systems (MUS) Project

05 Sep 05

The MUS project carries out scientific action research about water-innovation. More details can be found on the project web site.

Go to this site

Climbing the Water Ladder - Multiple-Use Water Services for Poverty Reduction

This book shows how multiple-use water services (MUS) are best suited to meeting people’s diverse water needs.

Read more or download TP52_Climbing_2009.pdf (3.6 MB)

Multiple-Use Services Group

29 Oct 12

The MUS group works for the improved delivery of multiple-use water services to better support poverty reduction, through research and documentation, promoting implementation and learning, and facilitated information sharing and evidence-based advocacy across sectors. Its portal contains resource material about the multiple-use services approach, as well as information about the Group, and the events and activities it organises. IRC is a core partner.

Go to this site

The Honduran thematic group on MUS

In Honduras, the theme of MUS has been promoted throughout a series of workshops conducted by IRC in collaboration with the Honduran network for water and sanitation RAS-HON. This in the end has led to the formation of a thematic group which is being hosted by the resource centre of RAS-HON. Read more in this folder on its background and its activities.

A manual to improve planning for multiple uses of water systems

In 2008 RAS-HON and IRC carried out a study to map existing experiences with multiple uses of water in Honduras. The study showed that the practice of multiple use of water is very common in many communities, but most of the times this practice is not planned for, nor regulated. This can be a threat for the sustainability of the water supply systems. As a logical follow up to the study, RAS-HON and IRC decided to continue to work on a manual for engineers, technicians and other sector professionals, who are responsible for or participating in the planning and implementation of water systems. The manual explains how to take into account multiple uses of water issues in the project cycle and gives suggestions for use of tools and methods.

The manual is in Spanish, and can be downloaded below.

In 2011, a team of RAS-HON and colleagues from the rural infrastructure project (PIR) from FHIS carried out an assesment to validate the manual. The report with lessons learned, can be found here.

Guia_para_planificacion_e_implementacion_de_proyectos_de_MUS.pdf (865.6 kB)