CARE/HACHO POTABLE WATER II

Evaluation covers the period 8/1/78-5/31/80; methodology is not specified. This project is an extension of another CARE/HACHO project, Potable Water Phase I, which was completed 3/78. Phase II objectives were to repair and improve three of the 20 water captage systems built under Phase I and to construct 18 to 25 new systems. There was almost a full year"s delay in the arrival of vehicles, equipment and the international engineer. Nonetheless, at the time of the evaluation, 15 systems had been constructed and the project was only two months behind schedule. This achievement can be attributed to the effective leadership and project direction provided by the international engineer. Under this project a number of major springs were found in the populated areas of the Ennery/St. Michel de L"Attalaye/Dessaline region which, if developed, could provide irrigation for agriculture and servicing for area schools and hospitals. CARE has therefore proposed a Phase III project to develop these springs. Other than natural springs, however, the project was not notably successful in locating and developing new potable water sources. Out of five wells dug in two regions lacking natural water supplies, only one had the capacity to provide potable water for the area"s residents. Two potential problems were pointed out. (1) The water systems developed under the project need some systematic supervision which the Haitian National Potable Water Service (SNEP) does not yet seem capable of providing. (2) Consideration should be given to ways and means of supporting the institutional development of SNEP. Two recommendations were made: CARE"s request for funding to extend the project for two months in order to complete five more systems should be approved, and the proposed Phase III project to develop newly discovered natural springs should also be approved. The approximately 25,000 rural poor living in the northwest peninsula are the beneficiaries of this project.