Introduction
Introduction
The operation and maintenance of water supply systems of small communities have been neglected in the past in a great number of developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 30 to 60 percent of existing water supply systems are not operational, which has an important impact on the wellbeing of concerned populations.
Governments and External Support Agencies, as well as local communities, are more and more concerned about the importance of integrating operation and maintenance components in the planning, implementation, management and monitoring of project activities, since operation and maintenance is a key factor of sustainability.
Professionals in the sector are also realizing that operation and maintenance is not just a technical issue. It also encompasses social, gender, economic, institutional, political, managerial and environmental aspects.
Moreover, there is a tendency in developing countries to redefine the roles and responsibilities of the various actors involved in operation and maintenance. Indeed, governments, because of heavy financial burdens and efficiency problems, are gradually changing their role of provider of services to that of facilitator of processes. Communities have increasing responsibilities, not only in the operation and maintenance of their water supply systems, but also in the financial management of these systems. New actors, such as private entrepreneurs from the informal or formal sectors, are now being considered as potential actors for operation and maintenance.
In the light of these elements, this document has been produced in order to provide project staff and sector professionals with the most recent information regarding trends and developments in the operation and maintenance of water supply systems of small communities. It has been done through a review of available literature as well as through the comments formulated during the meetings of the Operation and Maintenance Working Group of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and using the practical field experience of the authors and the advice of IRC staff.
The technologies described in this document are the most commonly encountered in small communities: protected dug well, borehole fitted with a handpump, gravity piped distribution of a spring supply to standposts, rooftop harvesting and motorized pump at village level.
Making your Water Supply Work has been divided into four major parts.
The first part deals with The Challenge of Operation and Maintenance, clarifying some basic concepts and highlighting the major constraints and benefits of effective operation and maintenance. It also presents an overview of the trends which are affecting the sector and which have an impact on operation and maintenance.
The second part reviews Operation and Maintenance Requirements, in terms of people and organizations, technical requirements, spare parts provision, hygienic operation and use, environmental protection and funding (financial resources).
The third part is concerned with Developing and Managing Operation and Maintenance, starting with a clarification of what is meant by the partnership approach in a context where communities are being made responsible for operation and maintenance. Operation and maintenance are not limited to the sole activity of a caretaker or a technician, it includes the activities of various actors at different levels, hence the manual proposes a paragraph on the development of an operation and maintenance system. Management of operation and maintenance concerns the project in its planning phase, but also the community in the day-to-day management, including financial management. Finally, proper management includes monitoring and evaluation.
The fourth part deals with an aspect which is too often neglected in projects, Supporting Operation and Maintenance. Indeed, the transfer of responsibilities to communities does not mean that communities will take up all activities. Effective operation and maintenance will depend on a well defined role for government support, external agencies' support, the role of NGOs, and private sector involvement. Finally, human resources have to be developed, and information on operation and maintenance has to be made available.<a href=_url>_text</a> --><NOINDEX></P></p></se_text -->
