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Self-supply refers to an approach of incremental improvements to water supplies that are mainly financed by the users themselves. A distinction is made between (i) Self-supply as a service provision approach purely driven by market actors (e.g. soft drinks, cellular phones, etc.) and (ii) supported Self-supply as an approach where external support is provided by a philanthropic organisation (donor) or a government organisation (local or external). [Source: RWSN - Self-supply]

 
Pumping water using a family rope pump, Ethiopia.

Groundwater, our hidden resource

As we (re)discover groundwater this World Water Day, let's not just look under our feet and think about the resource that lies down there.
1920’s Homestead farm water supply Oklahoma

Why a book on self-supply

Self-supply has the potential to do so much more, and to do so more safely than at present.

Self-supply : filling the gaps in public water supply provision

2021
Self-supply's contribution to urban and rural...
Metike in Ethiopia, photographed by Petterik Wiggers

The power of photo stories in Ethiopia

Photographs showcasing that Self-supply can change people's lives.
Woman getting water with rope pump

Promoting Self-supply: the challenges of implementation at the district level

In Ethiopia, achieving universal access by 2030 without working on Self-supply would be unrealistic. About 35% of the rural population still relies...
Woman lifting water from well. Photo by Petterik Wiggers Panos Pictures UK

Accelerating Self-supply for more water and more jobs

The theme of World Water Day 2016 - Water and Jobs - focused on how enough and the right quality of water can change workers' lives and livelihoods,...

World Water Day 2022 : factsheet on groundwater and self-supply

2022
Why is self-supply important and what can WASH...
Self supply in IRC Ethiopia

Self-Supply made simple

A pictorial Sub-Saharan Summary in 10 slides by Sally Sutton
Harrismith water heroes (still from Carte Blanche film footage)

Communities aren't enemies, we should harness their capacity

Exploring the links between community activism, service providers and Self-supply.

[Webinar] Self-supply – lessons from Harrismith’s ‘Water Heroes'

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) and the Mail & Guardian invites you...

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Pumping water using a family rope pump, Ethiopia.

Groundwater, our hidden resource

Published on: 16/03/2022
As we (re)discover groundwater this World Water Day, let's not just look under our feet and think about the resource that lies down there.

1920’s Homestead farm water supply Oklahoma

Why a book on self-supply

Published on: 15/02/2021
Self-supply has the potential to do so much more, and to do so more safely than at present.

Self-supply : filling the gaps in public water supply provision

Self-supply's contribution to urban and rural water provision world-wide, and the gains of government support.
Biblio info

Metike in Ethiopia, photographed by Petterik Wiggers

The power of photo stories in Ethiopia

Published on: 28/11/2016
Photographs showcasing that Self-supply can change people's lives.

Woman getting water with rope pump

Promoting Self-supply: the challenges of implementation at the district level

Published on: 29/06/2016
In Ethiopia, achieving universal access by 2030 without working on Self-supply would be unrealistic. About 35% of the rural population still relies on unprotected wells and springs for drinking water supply, despite huge investments on water supply infrastructures in the past 25 years.

Woman lifting water from well. Photo by Petterik Wiggers Panos Pictures UK

Accelerating Self-supply for more water and more jobs

Published on: 29/04/2016
The theme of World Water Day 2016 - Water and Jobs - focused on how enough and the right quality of water can change workers' lives and livelihoods, and even transform societies and economies. Linked to this theme, the National Self Supply Task Force in collaboration with IRC, MWA, JICA, Water for...

World Water Day 2022 : factsheet on groundwater and self-supply

Why is self-supply important and what can WASH professionals, governments, academia, funders and implementers do to help self-supply reach its...
Biblio info

Self supply in IRC Ethiopia

Self-Supply made simple

Published on: 23/02/2021
A pictorial Sub-Saharan Summary in 10 slides by Sally Sutton

Harrismith water heroes (still from Carte Blanche film footage)

Communities aren't enemies, we should harness their capacity

Published on: 03/12/2020
Exploring the links between community activism, service providers and Self-supply.

[Webinar] Self-supply – lessons from Harrismith’s ‘Water Heroes'

Published on: 12/11/2020
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) and the Mail & Guardian invites you to the Water Rights Webinar Series #4 Self-supply: Lessons from Harrismith's 'Water Heroes' Nov 17, 2020 10:30 AM in Johannesburg. 09.30 CET.

Progamme overview RWSN Late 2020 Webinar Series

RWSN Late Webinar Series 2020, 13 October - 01 December 2020

Published on: 19/10/2020
Running every Tuesday in English, French and/or Spanish.

Summary research report REACH IRC

Biblio info

Interim report on well upgrading interventions covering period 2017-2019

Investigating the effectiveness of improved well head protection and the uptake and safe installation of improved lifting devices to minimise water...
Biblio info

Baseline report of groundwater development in pilot watersheds Amhara, Ethiopia

Biblio info

Financing universal, safe and sustainable water services in Ethiopia

Targeted and affordable water tariffs, self-supply investments, microfinance and solar energy can help finance Ethiopia's water sector.
Biblio info

OU conference Ethiopia

2019 OU International WaTER Conference

Published on: 31/07/2019
Conference Theme: "Quest for Water Security: Quantity, Quality and Equity".

Developing consumer markets within rural WASH systems

This paper presents reflections on how consumer WASH markets are being developed and the role of different types of actors in the system.
Biblio info

RWSN strategy document cover

IRC endorses new strategy of the Rural Water Supply Network

Published on: 30/03/2018
Together with the World Bank, IRC is co-lead of RWSN's Sustainable Services theme.

Group Self-supply : a case study of implementation by Millennium Water Alliance partners in Oromia and Amhara

Biblio info

Evento de lanzamiento

Modelos innovadores de abastecimiento de agua y saneamiento en zonas rurales dispersas de Honduras

Published on: 15/10/2016
El proyecto busca de desarrollar de modelos innovadores de abastecimiento de agua y saneamiento para poblaciones en áreas rurales dispersas con menos de 200 habitantes, con base en un pilotaje beneficiando a 1.860 personas coen los municipios de Chinda, El Negrito y San Antonio.

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