Improved transparency and service using site selection as a tool

Year of publication: 2005

Improved transparency and service using site selection as a tool

Some of the strategies that enhance transparency and reduce corruption are primarily focused on other issues, such as improved design and management. This is true for site selection and the monitoring of physical access to water points. Site selection refers to identifying the physical location of water points, which should be done transparently, for example, with user and community involvement. Monitoring usually involves some type of mapping of existing water points. Site selection and monitoring are central to ensuring coverage while controlling costs.

For example, WaterAid monitored the physical access to water points in Malawi using household surveys and Global Positioning System technologies. It found that the targeting of resources had not been pro-poor. The work showed that “if the resource allocation is effectively targeted at the unserved areas, the MDGs would be achievable even if the level of investment fell to 30% of what it has been over the last five years.[1]”

Locating water points requires attention to a range of issues, going far beyond hydrology. For example, some households, and often the poorer, are located in less accessible areas or are less successful in putting forward their demand for water points. Here is an example of a small study meant to provide evidence for policy makers about the need for improved site selection. One water point was incorrectly located along a major road and had only six user families taking small amounts of water, and some drivers washing their vehicles along the road. The other two water points, which had far greater use, were located to provide services to more needy families who lived in clusters accessible only by walking paths.

Monitoring the location of water points and public site selection can also result in dramatic improvements on the large scale. Here, for example, are data from four large piped water schemes. The population size in the catchment area of these rural and peri-urban water schemes ranged from 115,000 to about 330,000 in 1991 census. These were piped schemes with public water points, about half of which had been constructed. The plans stated that about 80% of the current population were to be covered by each of the original water schemes designs.  

Access to water was defined as the proportion of the population living within 250 meters walking distance from a water point[2].  As the construction was proceeding, there were some complaints.  A local team supported by the main donors then undertook to check the original maps and location of the water points. This was done drafting students who worked together with community members (both men and women) and, in fact, redid both the maps and the site selection. The new water sites were checked by the water department and were approved, after detailed discussion, by the local government.  Rather that 80%, it appeared that the original plans would cover between 30% and 70% of the population as shown in the chart below.  The original maps were not accurate and some of the water points shown on the maps had been shifted to other locations.

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