The effectiveness and sustainability of donor assisted rural water supply projects: A case study of Awi zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Sustainability of water supplies is a key challenge, both in water resources and service delivery. The main objective of this research work was evaluating current service level, identifying factors of poor effectiveness and sustainability and pointed out remedial solutions of donor assisted rural water supply projects in Awi zone, Amhara, Ethiopia. The study mainly focused on the physical and technical concern of the schemes. Three sample woredas: Ankesha and Guagussa Woredas financially assisted by Community managed project (CMP), and Banja Woreda supported by World Bank (WB) were selected by purposive sampling. A survey was carried out with 80 households in 25 water points (hand dug wells and developed springs) constructed by donors in 2012. The water points were selected randomly and data gathered by questionnaires, interviews, site investigations. The collected data was scored and analyzed using project approach and performance frameworks within numXL 1.6 software. Then the scored data standardized through PCA was converted to effectiveness and sustainability index using multiple linear regression equation for each samples. Sample points were ranked according to the index and spatially mapped with Arc GIS 10.1 using kriging interpolation method. Factors such as demand driven approach, community participation, training, technology were factors before and during implementation. Cost recovery condition and donors support for operation, maintenance and management were also post project factors of effectiveness and sustainability problems. 56% samples resulted as effective and sustainable projects but not enough. 20% of the sample water points categorized as poorly effective (nonfunctional) and not sustainable because of poor project approach and performance. This non-functionality rate was less than the Amhara Region for non functionality rate (24%). From the result 24% of sample projects fall under effective and sustainable schemes with little improvements. CMP projects have greater E&S index results than World Bank projects that implies CMP schemes are more successful than World Bank projects. Further improvements on the factors could result effective and sustainable projects.