Difference between revisions of "Resilient WASH systems in drought-prone areas"
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[[Image:carelogo.png|thumb|right|150px|This section is based on a desk study written by Eric Fewster, commissioned by CARE Netherlands and the Netherlands Red Cross]] | [[Image:carelogo.png|thumb|right|150px|This section is based on a desk study written by Eric Fewster, commissioned by CARE Netherlands and the Netherlands Red Cross]] | ||
| − | Resilient WASH systems need to be able to cope with changes in the availability of water. This section explores what what techniques can be used to improve water availability over space and time in areas not only prone to drought and changing climate variability, but also those areas with deteriorating water availability due to increasing water demands and human influences. | + | Resilient WASH systems need to be able to cope with changes in the availability of water. This section explores what what techniques can be used to improve water availability over space and time in areas not only prone to drought and changing climate variability, but also those areas with deteriorating water availability due to increasing water demands and human influences. The focus is on water supply and non-motorized irrigation in rural areas for populations of up to 5,000 people. Resilience is a concept used to describe how to make water systems more robust in terms of water availability, thereby reducing the vulnerability of people that rely on them. |
| − | Both technical '''and''' non-technical components are important in discussing how to make water systems resilient. In many cases, it is not technical issues which cause projects to become unsustainable, but non-technical issues such as management, social relationships and community dynamics. | + | Both technical '''and''' non-technical components are important in discussing how to make water systems resilient. In many cases, it is not technical issues which cause projects to become unsustainable, but non-technical issues such as management, social relationships and community dynamics. A useful model to use is the FIETS model, which covers five dimensions of sustainability: Financial, Institutional, Environmental, Technical, and Social. |
| + | |||
| + | ====Technical measures==== | ||
The technical measures can be divided in three types: | The technical measures can be divided in three types: | ||
* [[Increasing availability of water over space|Improving the availability of water over space]] (more points of water in an area means better access for people and livestock) | * [[Increasing availability of water over space|Improving the availability of water over space]] (more points of water in an area means better access for people and livestock) | ||
| − | * Improving the availability of water over time (more water available to span increasing length of dry seasons, or, relevant to agriculture, short dry spells) | + | * [[Increasing availability of water over space|Improving the availability of water over time]] (more water available to span increasing length of dry seasons, or, relevant to agriculture, short dry spells) |
* Improving techniques that influence water demand, such as water-saving technologies and irrigation practices, re-use techniques and drought-resistant crops. | * Improving techniques that influence water demand, such as water-saving technologies and irrigation practices, re-use techniques and drought-resistant crops. | ||
| − | + | ====Non-technical measures==== | |
| − | + | * Institutional solutions (e.g. establishment of effective water user associations to manage communal facilities) | |
| − | + | * Financial & economic solutions (e.g. availability of micro-finance to users to replicate technology) | |
| − | ==Non-technical measures== | + | * Environmental solutions (e.g. siting of seasonal water points in relation to pasture availability in pastoral areas) |
Revision as of 14:27, 31 May 2012
Resilient WASH systems need to be able to cope with changes in the availability of water. This section explores what what techniques can be used to improve water availability over space and time in areas not only prone to drought and changing climate variability, but also those areas with deteriorating water availability due to increasing water demands and human influences. The focus is on water supply and non-motorized irrigation in rural areas for populations of up to 5,000 people. Resilience is a concept used to describe how to make water systems more robust in terms of water availability, thereby reducing the vulnerability of people that rely on them.
Both technical and non-technical components are important in discussing how to make water systems resilient. In many cases, it is not technical issues which cause projects to become unsustainable, but non-technical issues such as management, social relationships and community dynamics. A useful model to use is the FIETS model, which covers five dimensions of sustainability: Financial, Institutional, Environmental, Technical, and Social.
Technical measures
The technical measures can be divided in three types:
- Improving the availability of water over space (more points of water in an area means better access for people and livestock)
- Improving the availability of water over time (more water available to span increasing length of dry seasons, or, relevant to agriculture, short dry spells)
- Improving techniques that influence water demand, such as water-saving technologies and irrigation practices, re-use techniques and drought-resistant crops.
Non-technical measures
- Institutional solutions (e.g. establishment of effective water user associations to manage communal facilities)
- Financial & economic solutions (e.g. availability of micro-finance to users to replicate technology)
- Environmental solutions (e.g. siting of seasonal water points in relation to pasture availability in pastoral areas)
