Third Participatory Assessment: Water Supply and Sanitation Situation at Outapi (urban), Epyeshona, Amarika, Olumpelangwa and Akutsima (rural) (July/August 2008)

Tools for these assessments were developed in cooperation with the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) based on the results and experiences made during the first and second participatory assessments. As for the other assessment, the analysis combined qualitative social-empirical methods with participatory rural appraisal methods (PRA). Central issues during these workshops were to gain further information for and from the participants to fine-tune the technology options for groundwater desalination, rainwater harvesting and sanitation with waste water treatment and adapt them to the local conditions and needs of the people and to develop an implementation concept. Physical 3D-Models were used to illustrate the technological options and to facilitate the participants of the workshops to give their views, to make suggestions for changes and improvements. It turned out that institutional arrangements, ownership, security and maintenance of the infrastructure as well as the use of treated waste water and biogas are of specific interest and need to be addressed carefully.

From the assessment in Outapi it turned out that the residents are in principle willing to use sanitation facilities and the by-products biogas and treated waste water. In two informel settlements, it is also accepted to share sanitation facilities. Security of the users and training for maintenance has to be emphasised. As gardening and irrigation are not common in the region, proper training and accompanying consultation are necessary and are planned to be taken up by an agricultural college.

Workshops in rural areas selected for groundwater desalination were initiated to proof acceptance by the local people, to fine-tune technological options and adopt them to local needs. It turned out that people are in general willing to use desalinated water as drinking water and to take over day-to-day maintenance duties. Security, maintenance and costs are of crucial importance and need to be addressed carefully from all sides.

The workshop held in the village selected for rainwater harvesting, Epyeshona, served to confirm the mutual agreement and understanding of the concept. Members of the Water Point Committees and the Water User Association as well as residents of the village are keen on the technology to be implemented soon, they agreed to contribute with their personal labour to the project and a time frame for implementation was agreed on. Here again it turned out that gardening, irrigation and maintenance of the infrastructure have to be accompanied by proper training and consultation.

Results of the third participatory assessment are compiled in internal reports and selected results will soon be published under CuveWaters Papers.