Self-help rural water supply

PES covers the period 8/80-8/83 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with Government of Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) and Department of Lands, Valuation, and Water (DLVW) personnel. Progress toward achieving planned targets has either been on or ahead of schedule. Although 23 water schemes were originally proposed, subsequent investigation led to a revised list of 16 subprojects which will benefit 450,000 villagers, more than double the original estimate. Appropriate water system planning procedures have been established and incorporated in a field handbook. Water systems construction work has been both timely and of a high quality and a high level of system maintenance has been maintained. An active and successful research program has been carried out to improve water system supply and design. As a result, appropriate water treatment technologies have been developed. Although not originally planned, additions to the current program (e.g., improved maintenance procedures, electricity generation through the use of a mini-hydrogenerator) will be tested. With regard to health education and sanitation promotion (HESP), training has been conducted for DLVW staff (senior staff training has been completed, mid-level staff training has not), an overall HESP strategy developed, several demonstration laundry slabs constructed, and experimentation begun on improved pit latrines. Although 13 of the 16 project areas have already been reached by the HESP program, this component has faced difficulties due to a shortage of workers and worker transport and the slow development of relations between MOH and DLVW. The HESP component has only just begun to collect routine data; expanded system metering and water quality monitoring are needed. Social research activities have been limited. Despite the significant progress made thus far, there are two major factors which could profoundly affect future progress: departure of the senior water engineer and the proposed reorganization of the DLVW. Fifty-one action decisions are included.