Multiple Uses of Domestic Water Systems

1. Multiple Uses of Domestic Water Systems John Butterworth IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre Winrock discussion forum on ‘Policies and Management for Multiple Uses of Water’ 26 April 2006

2. We should focus on meeting minimum needs and quality to improve health…some for all Productive uses overload domestic water systems… should be banned Potable water is too valuable for gardening… should be conserved Beneficiaries of productive activities are the rich… lack of equity Background

3. Productive uses as a vital contribution to poor people’s livelihoods… wider benefits of domestic water Water quantity is often the highest priority… respond to demands Potable water often not supplied, and incremental costs may be affordable… examine costs and benefits Productive uses can be designed for…plan Alternative approach

4. Multiple use water services

5. Coordinating partners Johannesburg conference 2003 Think tank/ action research/ advocacy and information www.prodwat.watsan.net PRODWAT group

6. Study by NGO AWARD 13 villages: 7 villages where water is collected from distance 6 villages with reliable water, mostly from yard taps Productive use in all 13 Basic water use 21-22 lpcd with no sig. difference Extra water consumed for productive uses 23 lpcd in worse villages 40 lpcd in better villages Bushbuckridge, South Africa

7. Bushbuckridge, South Africa • Vegetable gardens, fruit trees, building; brewing, livestock • Income from productive uses was substantial in these poor villages • averaged $34 per person per year in the ‘worse’ villages • averaged $62 per person per year in the ‘better’ villages

8. Study by Agua Tuya and Centro-AGUA (www.musproject.net) Community managed peri-urban water systems Challacaba Cochabamba, Bolivia

9. 1 4 2 3 A virtuous cycle Users have access to water at low cost and appropriate quantity and quality The service is improved reinforcing the needs of users Users utilise water for productive activities and Improve their economic situation Users improve their capacity and willingness to pay for the service

10. Water is affordable, less than half the cost of municipal supplies Piped water is available to households 24 hours a day and 7 days a week The supply is potable Households consume 65 lpcd… increases to 86 lpcd for households with animals Cochabamba, Bolivia Users have access to water at low cost and appropriate quantity and quality 1

11. 44% of users have animals (incl. cows, pigs, sheep and poultry) 69% of these households have cows, and there is a good market for milk cost of water for 7 cows averages US$ 35 generateing an avg. income per family of US$ 1900 Cochabamba, Bolivia Users utilise water for productive activities and improve their economic situation Users improve their capacity and willingness to pay for the service 2 3

12. Number of households connected has increased from 36 to 60 System has been upgraded with 100% investment by the community From a well with hand pump to metered household connections A second well is planned to increase supply for productive uses especially gardens The association is able to make loans to members Cochabamba, Bolivia The service is improved reinforcing the needs of users 4

13. Users have access to water at low cost and appropriate quantity and quality 1 The service is improved reinforcing the needs of users 4 2 Users utilise water for productive activities and Improve their economic situation Ownership of the system: empowerment Appropriate technology and support Appropriate financial models Users improve their capacity and willingness to pay for the service 3 Cochabamba, Bolivia Key ingredients

14. NGOs like PumpAid are encouraging better access to groundwater Government support for rural water supply under strain: coverage up but access down Rope and washer pumps are cheap and easy to maintain Zimbabwe

15. PumpAid Zimbabwe

16. People draw multiple benefits from access to small-scale water supplies can add up to an appreciable impact on livelihoods and poverty Conclusions

17. narrow approaches to water supply that neglect the potential of productive uses are an opportunity missed lead to system failure lack of cost recovery Conclusions

18. projects fail to address these needs because small-scale productive uses slip between sub-sectoral remits bottom-up, people-centred, and multi-sectoral planning processes tend to facilitate Conclusions

19. Low and inflexible norms-based ‘basic needs’ or rights-based approaches can be a handicap norms of 50-200 lpcd depending on setting are needed to provide sufficient water for productive uses Conclusions

20. many positive examples are now emerging increase in recognition, across water sub-sectors, for holistic approaches to meeting people’s water needs at household level some convergence between sectors offers practical support to implementing IWRM Conclusions

21. www.prodwat.watsan.net Newsletter Book: beyond domestic Thematic overview paper: water and livelihoods Next meeting: UK 12-13 June 2006 More information