Community Based Water Supply Maintenance System and Sustainability of Improved Water Sources in Arapai Subcounty, Soroti District (Uganda)

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between community-based water supply maintenance system (CBMS) and sustainability of improved water sources in Arapai Sub County. The water sector in Uganda adopted CBMS approach to improve on the challenge of sustainability of public water sources after many approaches failed to do so. Community-based water supply management institutions (CWSMI), private sector participation (PSP), and government back-up support are constructs of CBMS studied. Sustainability aspects included financial, technical, institutional, and environmental. Study objectives were to examine the relationship between CBMS constructs and sustainability of water sources. The Systems Theory underpinned the study.The study used the cross sectional survey design that adopted the mixed method research approach for data collection and analysis. Questionnaire, interview, and documentary analysis methods were used for data collection. Findings showed that CBMS constructs had positive influence on sustainability of improved water sources and the study therefore concluded that they were interlinked. Representation of Women in WUCs was found inadequate. The study also found weak supply chain of spare parts and inadequate monitoring of water sources by government officials a challenge to sustainability. The study recommends meaningful inclusion of all stakeholders in water supply issues and calls for establishment of sustainable supply chain for the delivery of spare parts nearer to the WUs. Back-up support activities need to be sufficiently planned, budgeted for, and implemented. The study has documented unique findings on sustainability of water sources under CBMS in the study area thereby bridging the existing information gap. Proposed areas for further research are the effect of community participation; the effect of water supply technological options; and the influence of socio-economic, political, and demographic factors on sustainability of water sources.