Chief Kambale Nlala, a member of the Water Users’ Committee at Soya, North Kivu
English
Five of the seven members of the Water Users’ Committee set up through the ‘healthy villages’ approach in Kasitu, North Kivu (two women are absent). From left to right: Kakule Kasembo Mapendo, Kakule Kasembo Jean Bapiste, Kahambu Marhata Alfonsine, Muhindo Tsongo and Maskereka Muthahwh
Kahindo Kitambala, 35, collects water from the water point constructed in Soya, North Kivu. After the completion of a water system, an ‘observation period’ of between two and six weeks is implemented, during which the systems are monitored closely
Following a final push to complete water infrastructure work in North Kivu, Oxfam and its partners in DRC have turned their attention to building the capacity of the committees that have taken over the management of the new and rehabilitated sources.
Three ASUREPs – (Association d’Usagers de Réseau d’Eau Potable, or drinking water network users’ associations – have been established to manage the gravity-fed water systems in semi-urban areas at Kaseghe, Lubiriha and Sake. The associations have already elected key members to their boards, known as the Conseil d’Administration and the Commission de Contrôle, and these members will receive training during the new phase of the programme in order to fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
Crucially for the sustainability of the ASUREPs, they are being supported by government bodies keen to improve water governance; in particular by the Health Zones (or BCZs) and the Service National d’Hydraulique Rurale (SNHR) – a key player in the WASH sector in DRC. For example, when an informal body tried to manage water systems within the Kirotshe Health Zone without being mandated by the community, the BCZ stepped in to prevent it.
Cost-recovery systems
Both the ASUREPs and the Water Users’ Committees managing water sources in rural areas where SWIFT has been implementing the government-approved Healthy Villages and Schools approach (Villages et Écoles Assainis, or VEA) have been trained to put in place a cost-recovery system. Supporting them to do so effectively will be a key focus for the next phase of the programme, but in both rural and semi-urban areas, household capacity to contribute is a challenge.
In rural areas, most water management committees have adopted monthly household contributions, either financial or in kind; these are set at less than US$0.50 per household per month. In semi-urban areas, household contributions have been agreed in terms of quantity, with a charge of US$0.05 for each 20-litre jerry can of water collected. In both contexts, the bodies managing the water sources are working to increase the willingness and ability of household to contribute.
Final push on water infrastructure
The last three months of the output phase of the SWIFT programme, which ended on 31 March 2016, saw Oxfam’s partners focused on completing the construction and rehabilitation of 23 water systems in North Kivu. In total, these systems – 11 gravity-fed water systems, six sources with reservoirs and six simple springs – are now providing 68,375 people with a minimum of 20 litres of water per person, per day.
After the completion of a water system, an ‘observation period’ of between two and six weeks is implemented, during which the systems are monitored closely while they are being used ‘for real’ to ensure the quality of the water is maintained and the system remains stable.
If issues with functionality arise, repairs and corrective work take place under the ‘water safety plan’ and a report is shared with the managing committee. A need for minor repairs may be used as an opportunity for the newly trained local technicians to put into practice what they have learned while continuing to receive support.
