Evaluation of the level of service in rural water Supply schemes: case study on kachabirra district, Kembata tembaro zone, southern region, ethiopia

Abstract

Adequate domestic water supply is provided to sustainable development. However, limited access associated with poor water supply, sanitation and widening the poverty gap, gender inequality and prevalence of water borne diseases. Rural water supply projects primarily need the management of resources for human consumption in rural areas through the utilization to improve the access to clean and reliable water supply. It also increases quantity and quality of water supply services through a group of people on continuous basis. Therefore, focusing the factors that affect’ and indicators of functionality such as accessibility, reliability, quality and quantity. Design and technical problems lack community interconnection and not effectively supervising and monitoring of the construction, environmental problems and unavailability at spare parts and technicians factors affects sustainability of water supply service and they are also indicator of the sustainability. This research is aimed to evaluation the level of service rural water supply schemes. Both qualitative and quantitave data gathering was carried out. Questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview, field observation, existing document reviewing are the major data gathering techniques used in this study. The numerical part of the data were analyzed using Microsoft excel, SPSS (Statistical package for social science) the result was represented through tables, graphs and charts and the word parts was digested in the narration form. The respondents or households were selected by using representative random sampling technique for the purpose of the household survey and were the kebeles and the schemes are selected by using purposive sampling methods. The bacteriological water quality analysis in the sampled points has problems as compared with WHO drinking water standard and it is not recommended for drinking. Appropriate finance mechanisms of operation and maintenance when schemes fail by collection of daily water tariff and additional contribution of user communities to sustain the water supply projects. The institutional support after water supply projects developed was weak due to no meaningful training given WASHCOs members to make them responsible for operation or repair and maintenance of the water point no improve under staffing problem in the system. Also after implementation the institutional representatives’ frequency follow up (visiting) is low, maximally once a year. From the survey results of the respondents, most household were allowed averagely to fetch about 25 to 75 liters per a day of water from the source and quantity of water consumed in the district per person per day which is not meets the target of national plan of UAP (15 l/p/day) in 30 minute round trips. Therefore, the rehabilitation and implementation new schemes better to tackle rural water supply the problems