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Enhancing the effective participation of the rural-based, small scale private sector in rural water
supply service provision through the production and dissemination of best practice guidelines.
Water Management Consultants Ltd (WMC), with support from Intermediate Technology Consultants Ltd (ITC), has been awarded a contract (R8335) by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to investigate small-scale, rural-based private sector participation in the rural water supply sector in collaboration with in-country institutions in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.
Background
Approximately one billion people in southern countries still do not have access to safe water supplies. Over-stretched in terms of financial and human resources, governments in Africa and elsewhere are increasingly looking to limit their role to that of water sector facilitator and regulator and to encourage communities to take responsibility for their water supplies. The private sector and NGOs are increasingly seen as providers of skills and labour to communities for the design, construction and maintenance of systems. However, involvement to date of the private sector in the provision of rural water supply services has been limited and localised.
Most work concerning private sector participation has emphasised the role of service providers in urban areas. However, the economic climate in rural areas differs markedly from urban areas. Rural based businesses (artisans and traders), and not urban-based enterprises, may be most likely to find the rural business climate financially viable and be able to provide an affordable and sustainable service to rural communities. This research focuses on rural based enterprises; the working hypothesis being that the potential for small scale businesses in rural areas is not yet fully enabled by governments; that there is an opportunity to mobilise skills, stimulate small scale private investment and trading opportunities and to strengthen livelihoods in rural areas which will contribute to poverty alleviation and good governance. Much building of capacity is necessary to empower communities, the private sector and government to enable communities to take responsibility for their systems and to engage with the
private sector for the provision of services and with government over regulation.
Aims
This project aims to enhance the effective participation of the rural-based, small scale private sector in rural water supply service provision. The research focuses on investigating legal and institutional mechanisms for governments to use to create an enabling environment in which firstly rural-based, small scale, private service providers can contribute effectively to the rural water supply sector, and secondly in which governments can develop their capacity to regulate service providers. This has a strong poverty dimension as the livelihoods of the rural poor stand to be strengthened through the provision of improved water supplies through the enhanced role of the private sector in providing water supply services. Employment opportunities in service provision will also be enhanced, further contributing to poverty alleviation.
Outputs
Key outputs in the main research phase (March 2004-October 2005) will include an improved understanding of rural business livelihoods and supply chains in the rural water sector and of the capacity of governments to enable and regulate the sector in the study countries. Secondly, country-based and generic guidelines will be developed to enhance participation and regulation of private sector operators.
Target audiences
Potential target audiences include:
- Local government (councils and rural water departments)
- National government (rural water departments and agencies)
- Rural-based, small scale service providers
- Communities and vulnerable groups
- Local engineering institutions and in-country networks
- Donor agencies and NGOs
A dissemination strategy will be developed during the inception period.
Project partners
The following country-based institutions are collaborating with WMC and ITC:
WaterAid
WaterAid is the UK's only major charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe water and adequate sanitation to the world's poorest people. WaterAid is a project partner in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.
Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Ghana
The CWSA is a semi-autonomous agency responsible for the facilitation of the development of rural water supplies and sanitation in Ghana.
Regional Water Engineer's Office, Dodoma Region, Tanzania
The Regional Water Engineer's office in Dodoma Region is responsible for the coordination of the development and management of rural water supplies and sanitation in Dodoma Region.
Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Department of Infrastructure and Support Services (DISS), Zambia
DISS is responsible for the coordination of the development of rural water supplies and sanitation in Zambia
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