Self-service and self improvement
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In terms of a water supply, 1.1 billion people depend on their own facilities (open wells, rainwater harvesting, standpipes, etc.), which they have constructed or improved themselves using their own knowledge (historic, created, or learned) and creativity or with the help of local contractors and NGOs. Approximately another 800 million, must drink and use water collected by themselves or a family member. [1]
The aim of the self-help (or self-service and self-improvement) approaches portal is to give an overview on individual users or groups of users investing in their own services driven by the felt need to improve, without any form of external assistance.
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Case studies
Uganda
This field note examines the strengths and drawbacks of the conventional externally-driven approach to supporting water self supply. It suggests a complementary approach, which is likely to be more sustainable because it is more responsive to on-the-ground technical, social and economic realities. http://www.streams.net/resources/portal/Uganda_Self_Supply.pdf
Case: The Thai Rainwater Jar
Many people develop and manage their own facilities often with help of local private sector, but because of lack of support systems and low economy of scale, performance is generally low; Better access to support / stronger private sector would be very beneficial. In Thailand for example the government has supported the construction of rainwater jars since the early 1980s through promotion, loans, research and advice. This worked well, although corruption occurred. Now programme is fully taken over by private sector.
In this case, while government, private sector and communities had a role, the maintenance and operation of these jars is left up to households. The private sector has taken over their production.
References
- ↑ Fisscher & Da Silva Wells, 2006, Landscaping and Review of Approaches to support service provision for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. http://www.irc.nl/page/35949
