Understanding local public action in water supply: Challenges and solutions

Published on: 21/11/2024

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Equitable access to clean drinking water is essential for health, economic development, and community well-being. In sub-Saharan Africa, this fundamental right remains a significant challenge despite notable progress. How can local authorities address these challenges and ensure sustainable services? 

1. What is local public action?

Local public action encompasses all initiatives implemented by local authorities to meet the specific needs of their territory. In the context of water supply, this includes:

• Infrastructure development and management: Boreholes, reservoirs, and distribution networks.
• Service regulation: Setting tariffs and monitoring water quality.
• Collaboration with stakeholders: Local communities, the central government, NGOs, donors and private operators.

Why is it crucial?

Local authorities are best positioned to understand the specific needs of their population. However, they face challenges such as limited funding, insufficient technical expertise, and often unclear responsibilities between local and national actors. 

2. Major challenges in water supply at the local level

Despite various efforts, several obstacles hinder universal access to drinking water in many sub-Saharan African regions:

• Inadequate infrastructure:
  Many rural areas lack reliable access to treated water sources, and existing facilities often deteriorate without proper maintenance.
• Complex institutional frameworks:
  Responsibilities are shared among municipalities, the state, and private operators without clear coordination, resulting in inefficiencies and duplication of efforts.
• Impact of climate change:
  Prolonged droughts, floods, and increased pressure on water resources compromise their availability and quality.

 3. Keys to effective public policies

An effective public policy for water supply is measured by its ability to address the real needs of the population. The following factors are critical:

• Strong local leadership:
  Mayors and municipal technicians must be equipped with the tools and resources to coordinate and implement interventions.
• User participation:
  Citizens must be involved in service planning and monitoring to ensure policies align with their needs.
• Performance monitoring and evaluation:
  Appropriate technologies and systems facilitate regular monitoring of service performance, enabling proactive management.

4. Solutions for effective management of water supply

• Strengthening local capacities: Training municipal teams in asset and service management as well as operator monitoring is a priority. This also involves mobilizing external funding and adopting modern technologies to optimize service management.
• Encouraging community participation: Municipal coordination frameworks are critical for engaging all stakeholders, define priorities and ensure accountability.
• Investing in innovative technologies: Adequate technologies enable performance monitoring of water systems, improving planning and transparency.

5. Inspiring example: Burkina Faso

Since 2015, municipalities in Burkina Faso have shown that collaborative and innovative approaches can transform water supply management.

• Municipal master plans for water by 2030: These plans set clear priorities and align stakeholder interventions. They are being implemented in municipalities such as Banfora, Bérégadougou, Koudougou and Tenkodogo.
• Municipal coordination frameworks: These platforms enable stakeholders (municipality, service operators, state technical services, NGOs, donors, and users) to set annual priorities, evaluate progress, and ensure accountability. They have produced satisfactory results in Banfora and Tenkodogo.
• Monitoring technologies: Digital tools developed on mWater are used to collect reliable data and strengthen accountability in seven regions (Cascades, Centre, Centre Sud, Centre Est, Centre Ouest, Plateau Central and Boucle du Mouhoun). These technologies improve the monitoring of technical and financial performances, enabling better planning, accountability and transparency.

Conclusion: Building sustainable solutions

Local public action in water supply has the potential to improve the lives of millions. To succeed, it is essential to:

• Strengthen local governance capacities and systems.
• Mobilize adequate resources.
• Leverage modern technologies.
• Enhance accountability.

The challenges are real, but solutions exist. With adaptive governance and effective collaboration, every municipality can progress towards universal access to clean drinking water.