Evaluation of water supply system Case study in Naka ... - ENGEES

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Evaluation of water supply system – Case study in Naka, Nigeria2.2 General background about water projects issuesEvaluations are undertaken in order to identify problems; in water and sanitation, themajor problem seems to be the lack of sustainability, as defined by “whether or notsomething continues to work over time” (Abrams, 1998): many water projects whichappeared successful at the beginning fell down after few years or less. Severalexperiences and feedback from all over the world point out some redundant causes forwater project problems: operation and maintenance, cost recovery, gender issue,hygiene education and financial support need to be addressed (Guerquin et al., 2003).Carter et al. (1999) promote greater importance to sustainability than impacts anddefine four interlinked conditions necessary to have a community water systemsustainable: motivation, maintenance, cost recovery and back-support. In fact,community management does not mean abandonment by the government of itsresponsibilities. On the contrary, this type of management can only be sustainable ifthere is support from governmental agencies (Abrams, 1996). Schouten & Moriarty(2003) give a wide definition of a sustainable water supply by considering also equityand water resources sustainability in addition to technical, institutional and indefinitesustainability.Taking into account the sustainability aspect therefore gives guidance for evaluatingpossibility of extension of water facilities, as “scaling up coverage is pointless unlesssustainability is improved at the same time” (Schouten & Moriarty, 2003).2.3 Community-managed system: the water users’ associationoptionThere are several options for water supply management, ranking from the agencymanaging it to the community owning and operating the system, with options inbetween. Trends are currently to give the community more responsibilities as analternative to government management of water supply (Carter et al., 1999). A wateruser’s association is one of the community-based possibilities, characterised by theassociation being responsible for operation and maintenance financed throughmember’s fees and bills; access to water services is reserved for members onlyCranfield University at Silsoe 7 Florianne Bourrigault (2006)
Evaluation of water supply system – Case study in Naka, Nigeria(Cairncross, 1980). Cairncross et al. (1980) shows two advantages of this option: topotentially avoid factionalism and to facilitate fees collection as members getprivileged towards non-members. They also point to the implicit exclusion of part ofthe population, mainly the poorest households unable to afford the prices.The option of water kiosks where members come to buy water have already beenimplemented in other African countries and even in Kabong in Nigeria; most often ithas been implanted in urban and peri-urban areas.2.4 Water quality monitoringAs there is for the moment neither national water-drinking quality standards norguidelines in Nigeria (Ocholi, 2006) there is a need to find universal water qualitystandards values. The “Guidelines for drinking-water quality” proposed by the WorldHealth Organisations set a complete list of parameter values which “ensures anaesthetically pleasing water and does not result in any significant risk to the health ofthe consumer” (WHO, 1985). These values are internationally recognised becausehealth issue oriented; however it does not take into account the specific context of thecountry or area (WHO, 1985). In fact, concerning developing countries, theseparameters need to be adjusted, considering the cost of treatment involved, cost andavailability of water testing in the country, as well as the type of water supplymanagement, like CBOs, which defines the financial affordability of these costs(Howard, 2002). Howard (2002) prioritises parameters to monitor as explained in theBox 2; he also proposes suggested frequency for some parameters testing andguidance for Water Safety Plan (WSP) and sanitary survey.Box 2: Parameters for water quality surveillancePriority of parameters to be included in surveillance programmes:1. Microbiological quality and those parameters that controlmicrobiological quality (disinfectant residuals, pH and turbidity)2. Parameters which cause rejection of water (include turbidity, taste,colour and odour of water3. Chemicals of known risks4. parameters that control operational efficiency such as corrosivityand hardness(Source: Howard, 2002)Cranfield University at Silsoe 8 Florianne Bourrigault (2006)
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