Operation, maintenance and use of rural water supplies in the Indo-Dutch Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme : discussion paper

This paper is the third discussion paper on longer-term Indo-Dutch cooperation in the field of rural water supply and sanitation. It presents an overview of operation, maintenance and the use of completed Indo-Dutch rural water supply projects. The paper is based on conditions, issues and actions reported in the progress reports for Indo-Dutch projects in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh, and on other sources of information. It is intended as a basis for further discussion with Indian implementing agencies and authorities at Central and State level. The objective is to enhance the capacities to operate and maintain completed water systems and finance their recurrent costs. The paper deals with operation and maintenance policies, costs, financing, organizational aspects and community participation, including the involvement of women in operation and maintenance. It discusses the performance of completed Netherlands-assisted water systems and contains tables relating to rural water projects financed by the Dutch government.