WASH in Agago: Bridging the gap between Hand Pump Mechanics and Water User Committees for improved operation and maintenance of Rural Water supply systems

Functionality of rural drinking water facilities has remained stagnant at 80% over the past years and the biggest challenge to the water sector in Uganda today according to research by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre/Sustainable Services as Scale (Triple‐S) and SNV. However, a study carried out in 2011 on the effectiveness of the Community Based Management System (CBMS) in Uganda revealed that full functionality of the water supplies stands at only 53% with around 24% being partly functional with some problems including quality and quantity.

GOAL Uganda recognizes this challenge and is working towards increasing the functionality of water infrastructures in all her operating areas. To mark the World Water Day on March 22nd, GOAL Agago/Pader WASH team organized a commemoration that tripled dissemination of water quality results, status of water points/WUCs followed up and handover of protective and marketing overall uniforms to Agago Hand Pump Mechanic Association members.

The commemoration was attended by the DWO and Assistant, AMREF WASH project Manager and Engineer, members of Hand Pump Mechanic Association, Care takers and Chairpersons WUCs, Sub county chiefs, LCIIIs, Health Assistants and Community Development Officers from Paimo, Parabongo and Kalongo Town Council.

The World Water Day theme “Co-operation is the key to preserving water infrastructure” well suited the commemoration as GOAL‟s emphasis is on ensuring all Water infrastructures built in the past remains functioning and the very reason why GOAL is working in partnership with key WASH stakeholders including HPMA, WUCs, NGOs and the DWO.

In her report, the PM WASH noted that out of the 90 water samples tested; only 5 were contaminated with ecoli and out of the 167 water point followed up, only 23 were not flowing and a high percentage of non-functioning WUCs. On this note, she argued WUCs to always clean their water points and the surrounding and promote safe water chain to avoid possible contamination.

Participants noted the key challenges to functionality of water points in Agago as;
• Limited/lack of access to spare parts,
• non-functionality of WUCs (not performing their roles; do not hold regular meetings,
• do not collect water user fees and maintain and repair their water points whenever required using collected funds),
• poor quality of water,
• aging systems beyond economic values needing total replacement,
• repairs beyond community capacity and
• in adequate prioritization of community mobilization activities to ensure community ownership of water points.

The following elements were identified key to improving functionality. They include;
• the supply chain for spare parts;
• the role of Hand Pump Mechanics (HPMs) in CBMS; and,
• the role of Water and Sanitation Committees (WSCs).

The DWO recognized GOAL‟s efforts toward strengthening the community water management structures with particular focus on building the capacity of Water User Committees (WUCs) and Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs) to improve their effectiveness in managing the operation and maintenance of rural water supplies; Key noted achievements include;
1. Support rendered towards establishment of Agago HPMAs which has helped the transition from individuals to groups with shared vision, resources, risks and opportunities.
2. Capacity building of HPMAs especially in organizational development and business management prospectus.
3. Good cooperation, networking and partnership among key stakeholders including the DWO, HPMA, WUCs, other NGOs and CBOs implementing WASH in the district
4. Continued follow up and mapping of water points and their WUCs
5. Support rendered towards repair of 15 ain water harvesting systems in 11 targeted schools in 2012.

In terms of impact, the formation of HPMA has greatly contributed to the improvement in functionality of rural water supply systems in Agago district. A total of 151 water points had been repaired by HPMA in 13 out of the 16 sub counties of Agago district between January-March 2013. The repairs included 15 major ones, all of which were facilitated by community funds. This is seen as a good move towards increasing functionality of water supply in the in the district.
1. Formation of district-based Hand Pump Mechanics Associations provides the opportunity for the mechanics to offer better organized and regulated services to the sector and to communities.
2. There is need to link the associations with other organizations for support e.g. with start-up capital to register; stock spares and purchase the necessary tools and equipment. There is also need for a favorable working relationship to bridge the gap between the associations and the WUCs.
3. Up scaling workable solutions can be achieved through documentation and sharing success stories about the innovations at the different levels.

The DWO recognized GOAL’s efforts toward strengthening the community water management structures with particular focus on building the capacity of Water User Committees & HPMA