Community management of water services : approaches, innovations from Lango and Rwenzori regions

Table of contents with abstracts : 

• M4W: Using mobile phone technology to enhance functionality of rural water sources: one of the key challenges contributing to non-functionality of rural water sources is the time lag between the identification of faults and the rehabilitation. The Mobile Phone for Improved Water Access (M4W) project is changing the situation very fast;
• Changing lives: A water users’ loan scheme in Lira district: Water users in Lira district, Northern Uganda have adopted a new way of ensuring regular payment of user fees and continued functionality of their sources. From the funds collected in monthly fees, they have started a loan scheme for users and this is changing many lives;
• Back to our roots: the revival of a traditional community mobilisation approach to address water source management : who says traditional African community mobilisation approaches have died out? The application of the Omuhiigo approach to the Community Based Management System (CBMS) of water sources in Kabarole district is a good case of the revival of a seemingly-forgotten traditional community mobilisation strategy;
• Strength in numbers: lessons from the Lira District Hand Pump Mechanics Association: when the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda undertook to promote the formation of Hand Pump Mechanics Associations to enhance functionality of rural water services, many districts responded accordingly. The Lira district HPMA was formed and is fully operational. What lessons does it provide?
• Bylaws are crucial for water source operation and maintenance: though not listed among the critical requirements for sustainable management of water facilities, bylaws are crucial to ensure good use and maintenance of sources. One community in Amuca Sub County in Lira district has successfully enforced bylaws for two years. What is their experience like? [authors abstract]

This is part of the Triple-S (Sustainable Services at Scale) Water services that last-project.