Booklet developed by Triple-S Uganda identifying good practices in water source management from the Lango and Rwenzori regions.

This policy brief evaluates the potential of hand pump mechanics associations to improve water facility functionality rates in rural Uganda.

In 2011 the Ministry of Water and Environment adopted a strategy of establishing district based Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs) to strengthen Operation and Maintenance of rural water systems and increase functionality of rural water sources.

However, operationalisation of the HPMAs has been mired by several issues including size of available maintenance works, institutional capacity, financing HPMA operations among others. Triple-S and SNV have been helping to develop the institutional capacity of HPMAs in Kabarole, Lira, Arua, Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kyenjojo with the goal of creating self-sustaining effective HPMAs. This note provides a brief update on progress to date, some of the challenges encountered and solutions being explored.

This factsheet presents recommendations for donors and investors on "Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services". This factsheet is based on the master document Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services.

This factsheet presents recommendations for NGOs and implementers on "Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services". This factsheet is based on the master document Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services.

This factsheet presents recommendations for local governments on “Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services”. The recommendations for local government apply equally to other service authorities involved in planning, coordination, regulation, and oversight of water services and technical assistance to water service providers and communities. This factsheet is based on the master document Harnessing Water Point Data to Improve Drinking Water Services.

The development of a learning framework for Triple-S is challenging. Not only because of the ambition and complexity of the Triple-S initiative, but also because of the way such activities are often perceived and placed within projects. In Triple-S, learning is placed at the heart of the initiative, and is an integral part of achieving a paradigm shift away from once-off projects towards a Service Delivery Approach (SDA) for the rural water sector.

Central to Triple-S is the principles framework which contains all hypotheses for sustained rural water service delivery; it is the seed for this learning process. Tools such as SenseMakerTM and FLOW are used to learn whether progress towards sustainable service delivery is being made. The second component of the learning in Triple-S is the reflection on the way Triple-S operates as an agent of change towards sustainable services; the methods it uses such as Learning Alliances and the values it applies. Do they enable the change towards sustainable water services?

Triple-S still has to complete its first cycle of learning: June 2010 to June 2011. This framework will be adapted on the basis of the experiences in the first cycle, in particular the specifics of processes and methods. However, the approach and basic principles for learning as described in this document and as shared with the BMGF in the tool kit for strategic planning of Triple-S will be the main drivers for learning in Triple-S. Learning that already has proven to be exciting and effective for creating impact.

Uganda has three existing Service Delivery Models for rural water supplies: Water Source Committees, Water Supply and Sanitation Boards, and the Self Supply model. Water Committees and Boards operate under the Community Based Management System. These models for rural water supply are being promoted and implemented across the country with varying levels of success. Data collected as part of the routine monitoring by the Ministry of Water and Environment, highlights for instance the low functionality of Water Source Committees and the stagnation of the functionality of water sources, suggesting that the current rural water supply service delivery models need to be improved in order to provide better services.

This study focuses on the Water Source Committee Service Delivery Model in eight selected districts: Alebtong, Lira, Kitgum and Nwoya in Lango region, and Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese and Kyenjojo in Rwenzori region. The study looks at the traditional Water Source Committee service delivery model, but also at two innovations within the management system (which is one part of the SDM): the involvement of Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs) in Kasese district and the integration of community-led savings and credit initiatives in financing operation and maintenance (in Kamwenge district).

Findings from the study reveal that the great majority of households, between 88% and 97%, access sub-standard water service, i.e. a service that doesn't meet the basic norm for at least one of the four water parameters (quality, quantity, accessibility and reliability). The level of service is generally not influenced neither by the performance of the Water Sources Committees, nor by any of the service authority (sub-county or district government). The only factors that seem to have an impact on the service are the payment of water fees by users and the performance of the districts, both having a positive correlation with the reliability of the facilities.

The study concludes with identifying some critical gaps at user level, service provider level and service authority level. The critical gaps mainly centre on issues of institutional structures, limited human and financial resources as well as weak coordination of stakeholders.