The Effectiveness and rural water supply projects: Acase studyof Awi zone, The Effectiveness and Sustainability of donor assisted rural water supply projects: Acase studyof Awi zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Sustainability of donor assisted rural water supply projects: Acase studyof Awi zone,

Abstract

Worldwide, rural populations are far less likely to have access to clean drinking water than are urban ones. In many developing countries like Ethiopia, the current approach to rural water supply used of supply-driven, instead of demand. The main objective of this study is to identify main factors that contributed to problems of effectiveness and sustainability of donor assisted rural water supply projects in Awi zone Amhara region. The study was carriedout in two sample woredas; Ankesha and Banja woredas of the study area. 17sample rural water supply .projects were taken for the study. The three types of water supply technologies studied in the thesis were hand dug wells, developed springs, and shallow wells. The field investigation on site, interview, questionnaire and discussion with officials, water committees and beneficiaries weremethods of primary data collection. The data from questionnaire was analyzed by SPSS 20. From detail field investigation technical existing situations, problems, remedial solutions were examined. Among the numerous factors that contributed to the poor performance of the schemes, the two key reasons are technical and management (social) factors. Poor facilities design, poor construction, and lack of provision for system management, operation and maintenance, limited policy implementation, lack of capacity to keep the system running after project completion, poor cooperation between the water agent and users, lack of involvement of the community in the planning and construction process had also compounded the problems. The recommendation focuses on need for proper construction quality, and routine O&M program, importance of cooperation between water resource, donors, water committees and beneficiaries. Community involvement in maintenance ensures project sustainability.