Assessment of rural water supply with an emphasis on people's participation and benefits : a case study of rural water supply in Limutichhu Watershed, Western Bhutan | |
| Author | Dupchu, Karma |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-05-11 |
| Subject(s) | Water-supply, Rural--Bhutan Water-supply, Rural--Citizen participation |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-05-11 |
| Abstract | This study assessed the existing situation of rural water supply in Limutichhu watershed of western Bhutan mainly focusing on the people participation in decision-making and planning, implementation, and management and monitoring. The study also looked into existing rural water supply organizations structure, their roles and responsibilities and also institutional capacity and linkages. Attempts were also made to assess the benefits of rural water supply within the study area. The study found that most of the villages had access to the water supply provided by the government through financial assistance from the external agencies. The households which lacked access to water supplies were those households which were either isolated from village or lack of proper water sources nearby. Provision of rural water supply was based on contribution of inputs from the government, donor and community. While the government provided skilled labors and supervision of works; donors provided materials that were not locally available, and communities provide unskilled labors and locally available materials. People participated in all the phases for the development of rural water supply project but the intensity of participation was found to high during the implementation and management phase. Participation usually took place in the form of unskilled labor and kinds but there was contribution of available local materials. The responsibility of the management of RWS facilities had been handed over to the beneficiaries. The management of rural water supply facilities including all repairs and maintenances of water supply were carried out by Villager Water Committee (VWC). Caretakers were nominated among the beneficiaries for upkeep of the system. Most of the VWCs, however were not in operation. Lack of knowledge, skills and education has been identified as important factors that contributed for the failure of local organizations. Unwillingness to work as caretakers due to lack of proper mode of compensation was also another factor. Water supply, however, has brought immense benefits to the rural communities not only in terms of improved health of the community but also in the terms social and economic upliftment. The trend of water borne diseases have decreased compared to earlier days, but there were reported cases of waterborne diseases still common within the study area. The provision of mass information through education, communication and awareness about health and sanitation need higher emphasis in tackling the problems. Establishment of drinking water quality monitoring surveillances system may help to understand the relation between water supply and water borne diseases. Based on the finding of the study, some recommendations are proposed for to not only to improve the existing water supply but also enhanced participatory approaches adopted and implemented by the rural water sectors. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-05-11 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Schidmit-Vogt, Dietrich ;Clemente, Roberto ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Austria; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |