Guidelines to planning sustainable water and sanitation projects

GUIDELINES TO PLANNING SUSTAINABLE WATER AND SANITATION PROJECTS

ENOCK KAWEESICOUNTRY COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIR

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A safe and reliable drinking water and access to adequate sanitation is not available to nearly one billion people. Rotary International recognized this problem and has made it one of the six areas of focus.

Bringing safe and reliable drinking water to the community has been a challenge to Rotaract clubs. High level of failures can be attributed to many factors, including:

Rotaract Community Service Training

A Guide to Selecting a Sustainable WASH Project System

» Selection of inappropriate technologies » The Myth: “Just built it and it will work forever.” » Poor water point sitting » Lack of on-going operations and maintenance

training » Lack of spare parts» Poor or changing water quality» Vandalism, theft or conflict


Lack of finance for operations and maintenance

Ineffective community water committees Weak follow-up and project supervision by

project sponsors No long-term project monitoring and

evaluation


With over million people without safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, the challenge of providing everyone with safe drinking water and proper sanitation is daunting. With over 69 Rotaract clubs in Uganda, the number of projects that would be required to make a difference will require all of the Rotaractors to work together with partner organizations and village leaders.


Planning For Sustainability

This will demonstrate the importance of doing each project right and ensuring that they continue to provide the services intended for the design life of the facility.

The goal is that Rotaractors plan, design and complete water and sanitation projects that remain functional and that are maintained by the village water committees throughout their intended lives.


SUSTAINABLE means “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Critical to creating sustainable projects is that Rotaract clubs integrate their local project into a regional planning, involving the village leaders.The following steps are designed to help Rotaract clubs achieve sustainable projects:


1. Ensuring community ownership and to demonstrate self-sufficiency in operation;

2. Focusing on needs, the current state of the community, the desired future (such as access to clean water year-round and reduction in water-borne diseases) and an assessment of technical, socio/cultural and financial risks affecting the likely long-term viability of the project;


3. Involving women in the initial design of the system and in ensuring that the system is maintained and associated hygiene and behavioral changes take place;

4. Choosing appropriate technologies are installed and operational support is available, and

5. Focusing on the overall community goals of a healthy and economically stable future is planned for.


1. Formation of a Country Regional Team or Water Committee;

2. Develop a Program Planning and Performance Team (PPP, also known as Rotary Service Corps) that assists the Regional Team and village leaders in completing a needs assessment and conduct an Alternative Analysis of the best technical and operational solution;

3. Use of the Wasrag Technical GuidelinesRotaract Community Service Training

Approach of the Country and District Officials



1. Is the project being funded by more than one Rotaract club?

2. Do Rotaract club members have the professional expertise to

plan and design a water project and the ancillary needs of

sanitation and health and hygiene?

3. Who in your Rotaract club will manage the planning and

construction process?


Checklist Water Project Construction

4. Does the club have sufficient number of club members to travel to

the project site and complete the project?

5. If more than one club is participating in the project, what are the

roles for each club?

6. If the club(s) does not have the expertise to plan, design or

construct the project, who will be called upon to assist with the

needed expertise?

7. If an NGO is needed to assist with the project:


a. What role in the project do you expect them to participate?

b. What are their credentials for fulfilling their role in the project?

c. Has the NGO working this country or region within the country

before?

d. Who will be the contact from the NGO?

8. Is a contractor needed to complete the project?, If a contractor

is needed:



a. Does he have references for doing quality work on

similar projects?

b. Does he have the right equipment to complete the

project on budget and schedule?

c. Is he available at the time your team will be

available to travel to the project site?


9. What action will designate the completion of the project?

10. What steps will be to take place to close out the project?

Establish the community water committee; Close out NGO

contracts; Pay contractors; Train operation and

maintenance; Establish long-term evaluation and

monitoring program.



• The involvement of community leaders in the water system project cannot be overstated. Whether the sponsoring Rotary club or its partners are dealing with a tribal chief, another Rotary club, or a community government, involvement and approval from the highest level is vital to the success of the project. The leaders must first be involved in the planning of the project to be sure they agree that the selected project is the highest priority need of the community.

• Community leaders must also be involved in the design and construction phases of the project so that the project location, methods of construction and materials of construction are familiar to them and approved as a long-term solution to their problem.

• Finally, and perhaps most important, the leaders must be aware of and approve the long-term operation and maintenance requirements, including cost of the improvement and the collection of tariffs to pay for on-going repairs and maintenance. Only with this high level involvement and approval can any project expect to succeed and remain viable over its projected life.


How Vital is the Community Leader Involvment?


Government & Nonprofit

Guidelines to planning sustainable water and sanitation projects