ASSESSMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES SUSTAINABILITY AT SHEBEDINO WOREDA, SIDAMA ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

In developing country there is a problem of water supply schemes sustainability due to damage of functional water supply schemes with different reasons through their service period. This situation is also observed in Ethiopia with in all states and woredas. Shebedino woreda found in sidama zone, SNNPR State has a visible problem in this regard. This study was conducted to assess the sustainability of water supply schemes in Shebedino woreda(study area). The assessment was focused on the functionality of water supply schemes; examining the sustainability of water supply schemes through technical, financial, organizational, social, environmental factors, and community perception within four sampled kebele and 15 water supply schemes of the study area. For this research purpose primary and secondary data were used. Data was collected focused on House to House interview, Field observation, Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant interview with organized questions. Field observation was conducted .The data was analyzed by descriptive analysis method. From finding the nonfunctional water supply scheme of study area was 33.58 % which is greater than from SNNPR and national level. Technical, financial, organizational, social, environmental factors and community perception have major contribution in the sustainability of water supply schemes. Among the reasons for frequently failed of water supply schemes, lack of spare part has taken the large percentage which is 47.78% and the second large proportion is poor management which is 31.67%. Inadequate budget were contributed for insecurity of sustainability of water supply schemes .The study result shows that more emphasis is not given for community participation in planning and technological selection. Large percentage of finance was allocated for newly constructed water supply schemes by NGOs 79.2%, but government and community have low contribution. Community participation, technical factors and organizational management are the major parts need more emphasis to ensure the sustainability of water supply schemes. It was found that even though the community has high willingness in contribution for the sustainability of water supply schemes, but there is low practice of community involvement. This positive attitude has significance in the sustainability of water supply schemes but need more improvement