OR/17/029 Water management arrangements

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.

During Survey 1 in Uganda a social survey of the village-level water management arrangements was also carried out at each water point. A core aspect of the social-science component of the Hidden Crisis project is to not assume that all local management functions are performed solely by the formally appointed water point committee. Instead, the focus of the research has been broadened to include all local actors and institutions who may play a part in managing HPBs. This is why we use the term water management arrangement (WMA), which includes the water point committee but is not limited to it. The project developed a definition of a WMA (see Appendix 2). This definition lists 8 different attributes that need to be present to a greater or lesser extent if the WMA is to be considered ‘functioning’. A structured social survey was designed with a total of 23 questions that addressed the 8 attributes of a WMA, where each question could be ranked between 1 (lowest) and 3 (highest). The survey was divided into 4 categories of questions: (1) Finance; (2) Maintenance and Repair; (3) Decision making, rules, and leadership; and (4) External Support. The quality of the WMAs has then been assessed by placing them into 4 categories depending on distribution of scores. Scores Functionality of WMA Scores mostly 1s Non existent Scores 1s and 2s Weak Scores mostly 2s and 3s Functional Scores mainly 3s Highly Functional Figure 6 Percentage of sites assessed to have non-existent, weak, functional or highly functional water management arrangements. Figure 7 Water management arrangement scores disaggregated by category. The survey indicates the majority of the Water Management Arrangements (70%) are weak or non- existent. Initial exploration of the data show no simple relationship between the physical functionality and water management arrangements although more sophisticated analysis is yet to be undertaken. These initial findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the relationship between WMAs and HPBs is complex and multifaceted. These complexities and inter-relationships are being investigated in more detail within the second project survey.