TY - GEN
T1 - Abandoning community management for 'professionalization' of water supply in rural Benin
AU - Le Gouais, Anna
AU - Webster, James
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - How to achieve sustainability in rural water supply is an ongoing challenge and involvement of the community is often seen as crucial for long term success. However, in Benin community management is generally viewed as a disaster after years of poor management, particularly misuse offunds, which has led to unsustainable systems. As a result, the national sfrategy has shifted away from community management and towards 'professionalization' and promotion of the private sector in rural and small town water management. This study analyses the attitudes of key stakeholders, particularly decision makers, towards four forms of management which local authorities can chose to impose, involving community Water User Associations (WUAs) and the private sector to varying degrees. It shows a sfrong preference towards excluding WUAs by the water services, who advise local authorities, as well as by facilitators. However, some areas continue to include WUAs to avoid conflict with communities.
AB - How to achieve sustainability in rural water supply is an ongoing challenge and involvement of the community is often seen as crucial for long term success. However, in Benin community management is generally viewed as a disaster after years of poor management, particularly misuse offunds, which has led to unsustainable systems. As a result, the national sfrategy has shifted away from community management and towards 'professionalization' and promotion of the private sector in rural and small town water management. This study analyses the attitudes of key stakeholders, particularly decision makers, towards four forms of management which local authorities can chose to impose, involving community Water User Associations (WUAs) and the private sector to varying degrees. It shows a sfrong preference towards excluding WUAs by the water services, who advise local authorities, as well as by facilitators. However, some areas continue to include WUAs to avoid conflict with communities.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84891649731&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)
AN - SCOPUS:84891649731
SN - 9781843801429
T3 - The Future of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Low-Income Countries: Innovation, Adaptation and Engagement in a Changing World - Proceedings of the 35th WEDC International Conference
BT - The Future of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Low-Income Countries
T2 - 2011 35th WEDC International Conference - The Future of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Low-Income Countries: Innovation, Adaptation and Engagement in a Changing World
Y2 - 6 July 2011 through 8 July 2011
ER -
