Dr Kerstin Danert, Topic Lead
Professional Drilling - Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN)
https://tinyurl.com/waterdrilling
Ask for Water GmbH, Switzerland
kerstin.danert @ ask-for-water.ch
a) Purpose or objectives and status of study or research hypothesis
The purpose of the multi-stakeholder initiative by RWSN has been to raise the professionalism of borehole drilling and its management globally.
(b) Key issue(s) or problem(s) addressed
Drilled water wells are vital to achieving universal, clean drinking water and meeting SDG 6.1 in Africa and beyond. Poor quality siting, borehole design, drilling and completion leads to premature failure of the water supply. There has been a lack of systematic training and mentoring of drilling professionals in many African countries for about two decades and the enabling environment does not always support drilling professionalism.
(c) Methodology or approach used
Multi-stakeholder collaboration within the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) over sixteen years involving in country studies, desk studies, training, alongside the development of guidelines, manuals, training materials, short animated films for advocacy alongside blogs and webinars to share practical experiences. Funding was fragmented, but the leadership of the theme, and a partnership between UNICEF and Skat Foundation remained consistent and determined, continuously learning from experiences and looking for opportunities to deliver.
(d) Results and conclusions derived from the project
Eight guidance documents, ten training courses, four animated films, studies in fifteen countries, a global analysis of the problem have been developed and promoted, alongside dozens of webinars have raised the profile of the problem provided materials and inspiration to solve it.
The initiative has inspired individuals and organisations (including UNICEF, UNHCR and WaterAid) to improve their drilling and drilling programme management practices. Hundreds of stakeholders in the sector have improved their skills and knowledge on the topic as a result of the initiative. AMCOW has picked up capacity strengthening in groundwater as one of its action areas. However, systematic, long term funding for ongoing training and professional development is still lacking.
(e) Implications of the project relevant to selected conference theme, theory and/or practice
Systematic and long-term capacity strengthening for groundwater is very important, but remains a marginal issue politically, and for many international funding agencies despite the commitment to SDG 6.1.