OR/17/029 Executive summary

Owor M, MacDonald A M, Bonsor H C, Okullo J, Katusiime F, Alupo G, Berochan G, Tumusiime C, Lapworth D, Whaley L, Lark R M. 2017. UPGro Hidden Crisis Research Consortium — Survey 1 Country Report–Uganda . British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/17/029.

Statistics on the functionality of water points from the Hidden Crisis project in Uganda are presented. The survey, undertaken in 2016, was focused on boreholes equipped with handpumps (HPBs) within the 112 districts of Uganda. A stratified two stage random sampling approach was adopted and 10 districts identified to sample. A tiered definition of functionality was applied, and all which enabled more nuanced definitions to be reported: The results from the survey indicate:

• 55% of HPBs were working on the day of the survey (compared to national figure of 86% for rural water supply)
• 34% of HPBs passed the design yield of 10 litres per minute
• 23% passed the design yield and also experienced <1 month downtime within a year.
• 18% passed the design yield and reliability criteria and also water quality criteria

The results of the survey indicate the utility of carrying out more detailed assessments of functionality to help unpack national statistics. A linked survey of the performance of the water management arrangements at water points showed that for 70% of the sites water management arrangements were judged to be weak.

Functionality assessed for boreholes equipped with hand pumps within Uganda. The functionality criteria used were: sufficient yield (>10 L/min) on day of survey; and less than 1 month downtime reported for the past year.

The Hidden Crisis project is a 4 year (2015–19) research project aimed at developing a robust evidence base and understanding of the complex and multi-faceted causes which underlie the current high failure rates of many new groundwater supplies in Africa, so that future WASH investments can be more sustainable. The project is being undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of established researchers in physical and social sciences from the UK, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi and Australia, led by the British Geological Survey.

Acknowledgements

Whilst the authors of this report reflect the team directly responsible for undertaking and facilitating the Survey 1 field programme in Uganda, the design of the field research programme, and the definitions of functionality presented are the joint work of the whole Hidden Crisis project team.

This report was compiled with full involvement and participation of the Ministry of Water and Environment of the Government of Uganda.

The project team involves an interdisciplinary consortium of established researchers in physical and social sciences from:

• British Geological Survey
• Sheffield University
• Overseas Development Institute
• Flinders University, Australia
• Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
• Makerere University, Uganda
• University of Malawi
• WaterAid UK and country programmes (Ethiopia, Uganda and Malawi)