1. Idrakua Lillian Amegovu
Water Safety
Conference 2010
Idrakua Lillian Amegovu
Drinking Water Safety Management Challenges in the Rural Area in Uganda and Government Interventions

2. Introduction Water Safety Conference
Population of Uganda estimated now to be 31.8 million
Rural population is 85% of total (27m)
Rural ‘Safe’ water coverage in is 65% (17.6m)
Sanitation coverage is 69.7%
Access to hand washing facilities is only 21%
Rural population served mainly by point water sources:
GFS, boreholes, protected springs and shallow wells
Shallow wells and protected springs constitute about 54%
of groundwater abstraction technologies
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

3. Challenge: Drinking Water Safety during Natural Disasters
Safety of drinking water can not be guaranteed during floods and landslides:
During the 1997/98 El Nino floods cholera epidemic affected people country wide out of which died
In 2007, out of 345 water sources tested by different agencies, more than 57% were contaminated
80% of protected springs were contaminated (graph)
There was an outbreak of cholera after the floods in eastern Uganda affecting 532 people & killing 31
During the 2010 Bududa landslides and Butaleja floods, critical infrastructure including water sources were submerged, many water sources were contaminated and some cholera cases were reported
E.coli=560
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

4. Challenge: Groundwater Abstraction Technologies
Water quality is determined by the technology type used for abstraction:
Graph depicts compliance to E.coli during dry season for 429 improved drinking water sources in 13 districts
Prioritize poor technology options where WSPs are being introduced for small water supplies
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

5. Challenge: Naturally Poor Groundwater Quality
National Water Quality database statistics
High iron levels: 0 – mg/litre: GV is 1, MAC is 2.
Salty water in some regions and mainly crater lakes: Chloride: 0 – mg/litre:GV is 250, MAC is 500.
Hard water: 0 – mg/litre (CaCO3). GV is 600. MAC is 800.
High Flouride present in volcanic rocks in Western Uganda: – 42.5 mg/litre: GV is 2, MAC is 4.
key issue
Naturally poor water quality of improved water sources drives
communities back to using unsafe traditional water sources
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

6. Challenge: Drinking Water Contamination in Homes
Progressive deterioration from source to containers & storage due to poor personal and domestic hygiene and water storage practices
Health implication is several outbreaks of cholera and other water borne diseases despite the increasing national water and sanitation coverage
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

7. Several issues surround O & M: ownership, resource constraints, spare
Challenge: Poor O & M
Several issues surround O & M:
ownership, resource constraints, spare
parts, non functional WUC etc
Poor O & M results in water contamination
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

8. Challenge: Urbanisation
E.Coli = TNTC
Lack of a comprehensive urban planning policy
Public Health Act (2000) prohibits construction of pit latrines in urban centres; institutional framework for enforcement is weak
Consequently many towns & peri-urban areas have highly polluted water sources:
pit latrine construction near water sources
leaking septic tanks
faecal sludge dumping in the environment or drains during heavy rains
flying toilets
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

9. Government Interventions: Institutional and Legal Framework
The institutional framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRR) is the National Platform at the centre and District Disaster Committees are set up at LG level during emergencies
Grassroot structures for O & M: Water and Sanitation Committee/WUCs,
Caretakers and Handpump mechanics.
Functions of Caretakers & WUCs that are elements of WSP include
ensure that the source is well maintained e.g. clean surrounding, well
fenced, covered soak pit
carry out preventive maintenance of facility
ensure clean containers are used for collecting water
keep record on water source (documentation)
Existing structures at the community level can be built on when establishing a
comprehensive WSP for small water supplies
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

10. Government Interventions: Institutional and Legal Framework cont.
The National Water Quality Management strategy (NWQM); an attempt to mainstream WSP concept into the legal framework
recommends establishment of WSPs at all water facilities
proposes a 3-tier water testing laboratory which includes establishment of basic water testing laboratories for each water supply scheme
assigns local governments the role for operational water quality monitoring, maintaining hygiene at water sources and setting bye-laws
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

11. Government Interventions cont.
Demonstration Water Safety Plan at Kyenjojo Water Supply
Challenges
inadequate capacity of the private water operators
inadequate documentation of the system (designs and equipment)
Lack of record keeping
finding skilled team members was a problem
team members taking on additional roles on voluntary basis was an issue
maintaining a constant composition of trained team members and
identifying willing external stakeholders and engaging them.
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

12. Government Interventions: Groundwater mapping
Six set of maps produced for each district:
water sources location
groundwater potential
hydrogeological characteristics
water supply technology options,
water supply coverage and
groundwater quality maps.
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

13. Government Interventions: Using Appropriate Technologies
An Iron Removal Plant(IRP) has been piloted for on-site treatment of iron
An IRP combination of an aeration tray and a filtration unit
Efficiency of iron removal ranged from %
main challenge of the technology is that slow flow rate of some IRPs discourage use by communities
Ecological sanitation is being promoted in areas with high water tables, soft formations, rocky grounds or limited space such as peri-urban areas
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

14. Government Interventions cont.
Development of Resource Materials
A Community Resource book: provides guidance on how to improve hygiene and sanitation practices at community and household level
Participatory Training of Trainers Manual: This material focuses on sanitation and hygiene, gender and HIV/AIDS
A Handbook on Safe Water Chain: provides information on how to maintain water safe from source, through collection, transportation to storage and consumption
Partnership with NGOs, CBOs and UN agencies in hygiene promotion and response to emergencies
Capacity building programs for LGs by central government (TSU) maybe good entry points for capacity development in WSPs
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia

15. Can the WSP concept be stretched to incorporate adaptation
Conclusion
Can the WSP concept be stretched to incorporate adaptation
measures to climate change and variability for water supplies?
Comprehensive WSP for small community water supplies should
built on existing grassroot structures
Development of appropriate resource materials/tools can help in
water safety management at the community level
Partnership with relevant stakeholders (NGOs, urban planners and
municipalities) is key for hygiene promotion and catchment
protection
For scaling up WSPs and enforcing compliance, include WSPs in
policies and performance contracts
Water Safety Conference
November , Kuching, Malaysia