Page 143 - Prathima Volume 12
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CBO managed water supply projects in mitigating rural water deficiency in the
selected coastal villages of Akkaraipattu region, Sri Lanka
could not be effective in the water poverty reduction programs in the coastal areas of
Akkaraipattu region, even though the government and non-governmental
organizations were empowered with technical and human resource.
2. Literature Review
Mimrose et al. (2011) carried out a study on Assessment of Sustainability of
Community Water Supply Project in Kandy District, which highlighted community
water supply project implemented and managed by the government has been
considered a useful strategy to provide access to safe drinking water to rural
communities. This study was carried out in 20 community managed water schemes in
eight Divisional Secretariat divisions in Kandy district to assess the sustainability of
community based rural water supply projects using the methodology adopted by the
UNDP and World Bank in six other countries. Participatory research methodology
tools were used for the assessment based on 5 sub-indicators, such as physical
condition, operation and maintenance, consumer satisfaction, financial management
and willingness to sustain the system. This study adopted assessment tools to ensure
the sustainability of community water supply project, especially in Kandy district.
This research was linked with the concept of community water supply project on the
basis of its sustainability, but did not deal with CBO managed water supply facilities in
the south-eastern part of Sri Lanka.
A study by Glietsmann et al. (2007) in Mali, a country in the Sahel observed that source
of water in the village of Yadianga during the dry season, the shallow aquifer begins to
dry up and water availability can become a critical issue. In the village of
Ogodouroukoro has an acute shortage of water at the end of the dry season. At the same
time water shortage is not a critical issue in the village of Benebourou. 45% of the total
households no longer considered the pump fitted boreholes to be a worthwhile
investment in Yadianga. They found that bathing was the activity that consumed most
water. Drinking represented approximately 11% of the total water use and ranked as
the fourth activity with respect to the quantity of water used. The former is attributable
to water scarcity during the driest months of the year. World Vision's WAWI water
project in the Koro district was implemented based on some criteria. Only India Mali
Mark II hand pumps were offered to the concerned communities and no alternative
water supply options were offered. Consultative participation in this context suggests
that people have participated only by being consulted or asked to answer questions on
decisions that have already been taken by a minority of stakeholders who have
decision making power (in this case world Vision). The majority of the surveyed
women from this village were primarily interested in investing in additional large-
diameter wells which could increase the village's access to the groundwater during the
dry season, or in more advanced pumping systems (wind / solar). In their study,
overall, women based their decisions mainly upon ease of access to water rather than
on technological design considerations related to water quality. They also noticed that
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