Restoring and Sustaining Water Systems Functionality in Tigray (RSWFT)

The project, implemented in Tigray, Ethiopia, sought to reduce the non-functionality rate of water schemes (currently 10-24%), biogas digesters, and irrigation generators (higher than 12% then) to a rate lower than 10% by improving access to spare parts and maintenance services.

Achievements

• Introduced a new model that links private local service providers (PLSPs), water resource offices (WRO) and water supply, sanitation and hygiene committees (WASHCOs) in order to enhance post-construction maintenance, spare part supply services, and WASHCOs' performance monitoring and capacity development.

• Built the capacity of WASHCOs, woreda (district) water technicians, and particularly PLSPs, enhancing their role in reducing non-functionality.

• Provided intensive theoretical and practical training on hand pumps, irrigation pumps and engines, and pipes and fittings maintenance to PLSPs.

• Facilitated the linkage between PLSPs, WASHCOs and woreda WRO (WWROs) on contractor-client-regulator mode.

• Trained WASHCOs and caretakers in financial management, operation and maintenance (in collaboration with WWROs)

• Trained and coached PLSPs in financial management, entrepreneurship, preventive operation and maintenance, curative maintenance of different schemes, spare parts management and water quality management and risk assessment (in collaboration with regional and WWROs and technical and vocational colleges).

• Introduced water quality monitoring to woreda water offices and performance monitoring to WASHCOs and PLSPs.

• Contributed to the improvement of people's health in woredas.