From WASH to WISH?

Whereas the first day of the symposium focused on more conceptual discussion of what is MUS, and how it can be understood, the second day went into depth on practical service delivery implications. This started with a key note presentation by Mary Renwick (Winrock International) who shared results from a global study on costs and benefits of multiple-use services provision. Also in the parallel session, various case studies from amongst other Ethiopia, Nepal and Sri Lanka focused on impacts, benefits and costs of MUS. In the discussion that followed, it became clear that the positive impacts and cost-benefit ratios shout from the paper. Yet, in order to convince policy makers, more work needs to be done on developing indicators for impact, specifically for multiple-use services. These should link to MUS’ objectives and are likely to be around “more livelihood per drop”, or “more benefit for your buck”. Indications were given for further indicator development.

"How to"

After that, the question to be addressed was on “how to”, so how to provide sustainable MUS services, and how to do so in a programmatic manner. Various presentations were given on that. Daniel Renault (FAO) for example shared results on how multiple-use of water is being addressed in large irrigation systems, as part of efforts to modernize irrigation system management. Tupac Mejía (RASHON) focused on a different type of programme: addressing multiple-use as part of a sustainability support programme to rural water supply in Honduras. The session ended by discussions on how appropriate technology can be used in MUS programmes. This was done through presentations of technology demonstrations and presentations by Henk Holtslag (Connect International), Bob Yoder (IDE) and Ian Thorpe (PumpAid). The latter called for another acronym shift: from WASH to WISH: Water supply, Irrigation, Sanitation and Hygiene. Appropriate technologies such as rope pumps and low-cost drilling techniques can be very important in that.

Introducing the MUS Group

A side meeting was held of the MUS Group itself. This meeting served to introduce participants who don’t know the Group and its functioning, as well as to discuss activities for next year. Several proposals came out. One of those is to use the Group even more as a peer Group network, through which also short-term technical assistance can be delivered. Daniel Renault for example invited Group members to support him on audit protocols for inclusion of MUS in large irrigation systems. Another proposal was to reach out further to the Spanish speaking community by translating the newsletter and some of the work done by the Group into Spanish, via the network of Inés Restrepo (Cinara). One of the key advocacy activities the coming year will be the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul where we expect to present the policy messages coming out of the Symposium, and produce a briefing note before that. This will also serve as opportunity to meet with the Group members who will be there.