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Published on: 21/02/2014

Between 30% and 40% of systems in Africa operate significantly below design expectations or not at all. Failure rates are especially high for hand pumps. "Mobile for Water" (M4W) aimed to improve the functionality of rural drinking water sources by reducing downtime through timely, actionable information: a user with a broken pump sends a text message to the system, which dispatches a mechanic to the site. The system is also used to collect monitoring data and information about sanitation at the water point.

The pilot experiment in Uganda – covering eight districts, Arua, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Masindi, Amuria, Lira and Katakwi – has revealed problems in implementation, including insufficient capacity to use the system for full benefit among the district personnel and the communities. This experiment analysed the implementation issues and developed solutions so that M4W could be scaled up and taken forward by other stakeholders in Uganda beyond the scope of the Triple-S project.

In Ghana, an experiment with an SMS system for repairs was also tested. That experiment will be taken forward under the Hilton Foundation project and SMARTerWASH.

Who was involved?

  • National government: Ministry of Water and Environment
  • IRC/ Triple‐S, The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), Makerere University College of Computing and Information Science, Water Aid
  • District: staff of district water offices, hand pump mechanics, CDOs community development officers

Selected publications

  • M4W Policy Brief  for Uganda (below)
  • Mobile phone technology to improve functionality of rural water sources- Briefing Note (below)
  • Using mobile phones to improve functionality of rural water sources in Uganda- Experiment Process Brief (below)
  • M4W website (link below)

For more information contact IRC Uganda country Director, Jane Nabunnya Mulumba

 

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