Community participation and operation and maintenance of piped water supply systems among households in small towns in eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between community participation and operation and maintenance (O&M) of piped water supply systems in small towns in Eastern Uganda. Its objectives included: (i) finding out the relationship between level of community participation in planning and O&M of the water systems, (ii) establishing the relationship between level of community participation in implementation and O&M of the water systems, and (iii) determining the relationship between level of community participation in monitoring and O&M of the water systems. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation. Results showed a significant positive relationship between level of community participation in planning and O&M (r = 0.667, p = 0.035), a significant positive relationship between level of community participation in implementation and O&M (r = 0.592, p = 0.018), and a significant positive relationship between level of community participation in monitoring and O&M (r = 0.481, p = 0.022). The conclusion is that increasing the level of community participation in planning, implementation, and monitoring of piped water supply systems, would improve the O&M of the water systems in the study areas. Thus, the study recommends listening to members’ views, respecting their preferences and equipping them with necessary information for making informed decisions related to the water systems; establishing proper accountability mechanisms, economically empowering community members and compensating members for sacrificing resources towards implementing water projects; and designating specific agreeable times/days for inspecting water systems and effectively addressing water system mul-functionality issues raised by community members respectively.