Framework for evaluation of projects in drought-prone areas

This article is part of a section on resilience of WASH systems.

The list of questions below can be used as a framework to evaluate projects in drought-prone areas.

Technical

• Are there methods of improving construction and design of existing techniques in the area which could improve water quantity? Example: telescopic lining in hand-dug well, leak-proof tanks, deep enough wells, spacing of sand dams in series, proper gravel packing in boreholes or around infiltration gallery, use of porous concrete.

• Are there methods of improving existing water quantity of existing facilities in-situ? Example: jetting in bottom of hand-dug well to increase recharge.

• Are there alternative / additional technical options that would be suitable in the area, which could be introduced to increase water availability by maximizing rainwater capture over groundwater abstraction? Example: depending on site, any rainwater harvesting techniques such as groundwater dams or sub-surface tanks.

• Are there alternative / additional technical options that would be suitable in the area, which could be easier to construct? Example: infiltration wells versus standard hand-dug wells, maximizing topography when constructing dams or ponds.

• Are there alternative / additional technical options that would be suitable in the area, which could be quicker to construct? Example: jetted wells versus hand-dug wells.

• Are there methods of improving water quantity through increasing storage capacity? Example: building deeper tanks, or more tanks, or reducing evaporation.

• Are there methods of improving water availability through simpler abstraction and where maintenance and repair is more likely to occur? Example: no handump and household treatment, proven pump where spares available, simple technology repairable locally using local skills.

• Can water availability be improved through some type of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)?

• Can sustainability of groundwater resources be checked through analysis of recharge and water balance?

• Has water demand been correctly ascertained?

• Has the structure been properly sized and designed according to factors like demand, recharge and catchment?

• Has there been / is there sufficient technical expertise to ensure proper design and construction?

• Are there methods that can improve health and safety of people during construction and use of infrastructure? Example: limit hand-dug well depth prior to lining, blocks versus pre-cast concrete rings.

• Are there water quality issues that affect water availability and can these be addressed? Example: salinity and solar stills.

• Are there water quality issues that affect vulnerability and can these be addressed? Example: bacteriological & chemical issues addressed through household water treatment or water source diversification.

• Are water resources monitored continually?

• Is the project timeframe likely to help improve technical viability of infrastructure? Example: building sand dams over years = less silt build-up = more water available.

• Are there non-WASH but related activities that could reduce vulnerability? Example: drought-resistant crop varieties.

Institutional

• Is the type of management structure in place the one most likely to improve water availability given the type of infrastructure? Example: catchment-based communal association = pasture management = less siltation = more water stored.

• Would different implementation and management styles result in improved sustainability of infrastructure? Example: communal or private ownership, decentralization.

• Would different ways of managing communal supplies improve water availability? Example: clear regulation and audit process = more trust = money keeps flowing to keep up maintenance.

• Is the project timeframe and choice of project funding donor likely to help improve institutional management of infrastructure?

• what extent has the project truly been demand-responsive and participative, and would improving this lead to improved sustainability of infrastructure? Example: how much continual learning and adjustment is taking place, how much were local concerns fed into design.

• What areas of project implementation could benefit from having greater involvement of local people, especially women, and could this improve sustainability of infrastructure? Example: decision on technology, involvement in construction and maintenance, water resources monitoring.

• Are there areas of existing local knowledge that could be built on in project design, which would improve involvement of local people and sustainability of infrastructure? Example: using local artisans, heeding ownership and regulation traditions.

• What possibilities exist to improve water availability through demand management? Example: drip irrigation.

• Can sustainability of groundwater resources be monitored through increased cooperation (NGO, government, private sector) and application of Integrated Water Resources Management in the area?

Financial / economic

• Are there ways of improving access to finance which can improve water availability? Example: micro finance, low-cost loans.
• Are there methods of improving ownership levels of infrastructure? Example: increased contribution including cash, private ownership.
• Are there alternative / additional technical options that would be suitable in the area, which could be cheaper to construct? Example: more affordable storage linings, smaller tank sizes.
• Are there alternative / additional technical options that would reduce risks of failure for investors in technology? Example: smaller structures.
• Are there methods of constructing infrastructure to make it more affordable and replicable to users? Example: staged construction.
• Are there methods of constructing infrastructure to allow for economic use of water? Example: private ownership, use of water for crops, living roof to reduce evaporation.

Environmental

• Are there methods of environmental control that can improve water availability? Example: vegetation in runoff zone = less siltation = more water stored.
• Are there possible environmental effects of improving water availability which could increase vulnerability? Example: downstream effects, degradation around permanent water points.
• Are there methods of implementation that can reduce pressure on existing pasture and water sources? Example: by creating new seasonal water points away from towns.