Kelly T Alexander1, Yihenew Tesfaye2, Robert Dreibelbis3, Bekele Abaire4, Matthew C Freeman5. 1. Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. kellytesh@gmail.com. 2. Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA. tesfayey@onid.orst.edu. 3. Civil Engineering and Environmental Science and Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA. rdreibe@ou.edu. 4. Catholic Relief Services, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. bekele.abaire@crs.org. 5. Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. mcfreem@emory.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A key challenge for achieving universal water access in Sub-Saharan Africa is poor sustainability of water schemes. Previous studies have posited factors that may lead to failed schemes; however, empirical data are lacking. METHODS: We conducted direct observations of water sources and interviewed water committee members about governance in two regions of Ethiopia. Based on direct observation at each water point, and harmonizing previous research in the sector, we developed an ordinal measure of functionality. Among functional systems, linear regression models were used to assess changes in score or level of functionality against governance characteristics. RESULTS: Of 89 water schemes over 5 years old, 82 had sufficient data to receive a score. Higher functionality scores were associated with having good records, meeting regularly, financial audits, higher monthly fees, a paid caretaker and water committees with capacity to perform minor repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Our continuous measure of functionality was simple to derive, objective and may be widely applicable for further studies assessing key indicators of sustainability.
OBJECTIVES: A key challenge for achieving universal water access in Sub-Saharan Africa is poor sustainability of water schemes. Previous studies have posited factors that may lead to failed schemes; however, empirical data are lacking. METHODS: We conducted direct observations of water sources and interviewed water committee members about governance in two regions of Ethiopia. Based on direct observation at each water point, and harmonizing previous research in the sector, we developed an ordinal measure of functionality. Among functional systems, linear regression models were used to assess changes in score or level of functionality against governance characteristics. RESULTS: Of 89 water schemes over 5 years old, 82 had sufficient data to receive a score. Higher functionality scores were associated with having good records, meeting regularly, financial audits, higher monthly fees, a paid caretaker and water committees with capacity to perform minor repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Our continuous measure of functionality was simple to derive, objective and may be widely applicable for further studies assessing key indicators of sustainability.
Entities:
Keywords:
Functionality; Governance; Sustainability; Water
Authors: Georgia L Kayser; Patrick Moriarty; Catarina Fonseca; Jamie Bartram Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2013-10-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Tori Klug; Katherine F Shields; Ryan Cronk; Emma Kelly; Nikki Behnke; Kristen Lee; Jamie Bartram Journal: Int J Hyg Environ Health Date: 2017-03-06 Impact factor: 5.840
Authors: Ryan M DuChanois; Elisabeth S Liddle; Richard A Fenner; Marc Jeuland; Barbara Evans; Oliver Cumming; Rashid U Zaman; Ana V Mujica-Pereira; Ian Ross; Matthew O Gribble; Joe Brown Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2019-04-04 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Olivia L Schultes; Mustafa Sikder; Emmanuel A Agyapong; Michelle O Sodipo; Elena N Naumova; Karen C Kosinski; Alexandra V Kulinkina Journal: BMC Res Notes Date: 2022-03-22