I keep wondering how reliable the often horrendously expensive monitoring PROJECTS are. I don't know about you, but I have rarely, if ever, come about a truely non-project funded and affordable and effective monitoring system in the many countries I have worked in the WASH sector.
Curious to see if PROJECTS like WASHcost will be able to convince us about more affordable and lasting approaches to monitor for action in the WASH sector and other innovation that truely leads to lasting impact of investments in hardware and 'software'.
RWSN Newsletter - February 2009 - profbury@gmail.com - Gmail: "Update on Sustainable Rural Water Supplies
It has been estimated that 30% of handpumps in sub-Saharan are not working. However, data from a number of sources suggests that in many countries the situation is much worse. It is becoming more apparent that financing new rural water supply infrastructure without proper attention to ensuring that it works for many years is a waste of money. In order to stimulate your thinking, we are providing you with perspectives on operation and maintenance from three rural water supply professionals, and encouraging experiences from an NGO in Malawi.
* May-day! May-Day! Our handpumps are not working! By Erich Baumann: http://www.rwsn.ch/documentation/skatdocumentation.2009-02-27.5294372959
* Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Supplies by Richard Carter http://www.rwsn.ch/documentation/skatdocumentation.2009-02-27.0720442659
* Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Supplies: Are we moving in the right direction? By Peter Harvey http://www.rwsn.ch/documentation/skatdocumentation.2009-02-27.4704277730
* InterAide Support to Operation and Maintenance of rural Water Supplies in Malawi in 2008 by Bertrand de Saint Méloir http://www.rwsn.ch/documentation/skatdocumentation.2009-02-27.9651985043
RWSN is currently undertaking a mapping exercise of the handpump market in sub-Saharan Africa in order to obtain a realistic estimate of the number of handpumps procured from outside the continent. It will estimate the number of handpumps installed in sub-Saharan African countries each year; identify existing in-country retailers; estimate price differences between internationally and locally procured handpumps; assess current in-country quality assurance mechanisms and recommend how these can be strengthened; and review prospects for improved supply chains for handpump spares as a result of changing policies and practice in the use of the private sector for rural water supply operation and maintenance.
For more information on sustainable rural water supplies contact: pharvey@unicef.org"
1 comments:
Stumbled upon your blog. Currently with WaterAid in UK, but before that many years with WaterAid in Mozambique, five of which as technical advisor to provincial gov in Zambezia province. Helped them develop strategic master plan for watsan work in the province.
Have been convinced for ages that "tradition" VLOM for handpumps not sustainable, for any pump, be it rope pump, Afridev or otherwise. Basic problems related to insufficient pump density to justify commercial spares network, also does not stimulate sufficeient knowledge and skills transfer for basic maintenance.
Back of envelope calculations done with government officials, demonstrated that for the cost of two borehole rehabilitations, one district could run a system of bicycle mechanics with subsidised spares that would have the added advantage of ensuring regular information flow on all water point status.
This revolutionised thinking in the province and is currently being tested in the province and, I think, also by UNICEF in Moz.
Food for thought .....
Erik Harvey
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