The intention of this review is to conduct a “reality check” on the outcomes
and sustainability of a long-term programme to improve access to safe water
and sanitation in small towns and rural growth centres in South-West
Uganda, the South Western Towns Water and Sanitation (SWTWS)
programme.
The SWTWS – including its successor, the Water and Sanitation Development
Facility South-West (WSDF-SW) – is ongoing since 1996 without interruption.
The review covered all the piped water schemes completed more than 6
years ago and a selection of the more recent schemes. The key actors who
were involved in developing, managing and implementing the programme
were interviewed to understand the development and success factors of the
programme.
The findings are relevant for both the Ugandan water sector and Austrian
Development Cooperation. For Uganda mainly because the approaches and
institutional structures that originated in the South-West – known as Water
and Sanitation Development Facilities (WSDFs) and Umbrella Organisations -
have become national models for implementing infrastructure in small
towns, and for providing backup support for the operation and maintenance
of this infrastructure. The review results can therefore help improving the
water sector framework. Austrian Development Cooperation, on the other
hand, commissioned this study to gain a better understanding of the factors
that led to lasting results in a generally successful programme.
The review covered 46 towns in South-West Uganda with a population of
mostly between 2,500 and 20,000 people. The average age of the 42
schemes implemented by SWTWS/WSDF-SW is 9 years. Four “control towns”
in the same region but not implemented by the SWTWS were included in the
review for comparison. In each town a technical and financial assessment
was made and focus group discussions were held with water users and the
members of the Water Board. 1381 households were interviewed to gain
first-hand information on the water users’ views.
Distinctive features of the SWTWS implementation approach were a
demand-driven approach; the systematic introduction of water metering and
payment for water; piloting of appropriate and innovative technologies
(including solar pumping and ecosan); source protection; land acquisition and
achievement of 100% latrine coverage as community commitment; and
backup support to scheme operation and maintenance after commissioning;
for the latter task the concept of the Umbrella Organisation as a member
association was developed.