D. M. U. L. Ananda Dissanayake, Esatern Province Water Supply Development Project (Rural Componant), Integrated Development Consulatnts (under Ministry of Planning), dmula@eureka.lk
Abstract
Several participatory models for RWS implementation and management were adopted in Sri-Lanka during the last few decades. These models focused on participatory approach, which provide opportunities for beneficiaries to involved in decision making at all stages of implementation. Community involvement for selecting, sharing, protecting, conserving and extracting of water from potential water sources are prerequisite key elements in these models in order to ensure the sustainable management of completed facilities. Total O&M costs are recovered with the introduction of scheme specific tariff for each RWS system, which are in some instances twice as much as urban community pay for water. RWS systems are metered to reduce waste and to promote using alternative water sources for bathing, washing and other purposes. Target communities are mobilized intensively to create sense of ownership on facilities constructed and to manage them with their own rules, procedures and norms, which leads to a long-term sustainability of RWS facilities. With the assistance of sector stakeholders, an appropriate and practical back-up support system has been established to ensure continues assistance to CBOs for the RWS systems management in a sustainable manner.
Keywords: Sense of ownership Back-up support for Operation and maintenance Community involvement