Determinants of increased water supply volume in rural piped water supply facilities in the presence of alternative water sources: lessons from Uganda

Résumé fourni par la source

ABSTRACT This study examines the factors underlying persistently low water supply volumes following the construction of newly developed nine piped water supply facilities (WSFs) in rural Uganda. The study compares water supply performance under different operation and maintenance (O&M) arrangements, focusing on the transition from community-based organisation (CBO) to management by a public utility. The results show that initial water supply volumes remained substantially below design targets, primarily due to the combination of a public tap-based service model and the widespread availability of alternative water sources such as handpumps. Limited technical and financial capacity of CBOs, together with design-related constraints in the initial facilities, further contributed to intermittent operation and low service utilisation. Following the transfer of O&M responsibility to a professional utility and the introduction of household connections, the total water supply volumes of nine WSFs increased markedly from less than 100 m3 per day to 231 m3 per day. The findings highlight the importance of considering alternative water sources, service level choices, and O&M capacity at the planning stage. Incorporating household connections and ensuring access to adequate technical and financial support are critical for improving utilisation and sustainability of newly constructed WSFs in similar rural contexts.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.