Rural Water Supply Network – blog – Rural water services that last, for everyone, forever

Addressing Water Challenges in Rural Fiji: The Mission of Save Our Fiji

This blog is written by Patricia Kroes, the founder of Save Our Fiji, which is a non-profit organisation that provides healthy and safe drinking water in the rural areas of Fiji.

Photo Credit: Viniana Bau

Fiji, known for its stunning beaches and pristine waters, is a tropical paradise. However, beyond the tourist destinations lies a harsh reality for many rural communities. In rural communities, access to clean and safe drinking water is a daily struggle for thousands of residents. Save Our Fiji, a non-profit organisation, is dedicated to tackling this pressing issue and ensuring that every individual in rural Fiji has access to clean water. In this blog post, we’ll explore the water challenges prevalent in rural Fiji and delve into the mission of Save Our Fiji in addressing these critical issues.

Water Challenges in Rural Fiji

Rural communities in Fiji encounter numerous obstacles in accessing clean water. Contamination of water sources is a significant concern, stemming from agricultural runoff, improper waste disposal, and inadequate sanitation facilities. This contamination leads to waterborne diseases and poses serious health risks to residents. Additionally, the accessibility of clean water is hindered by the remote locations of many rural communities. Residents often endure long journeys to fetch water, straining their time and energy, particularly for women and children.

Infrastructure shortcomings further compound the water crisis in rural Fiji. The lack of piped water systems and water treatment facilities contributes to unreliable water supply and poor water quality. Moreover, Fiji’s vulnerability to climate change exacerbates the situation, with changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events affecting water availability and quality. Droughts, floods, and water scarcity are recurrent challenges faced by rural communities.

Borehole Drilling Supervision Capacity in Zimbabwe

by Joseph T Njanike

Photo: Supervised Borehole Drilling Project: Collection of Water Samples for Water Quality Analysis at a completed Borehole during the Final Certification Process

As one of the few remaining qualified, experienced, and active drilling supervisors in Zimbabwe, I would like to share experiences on the status of borehole drilling supervision in my country, Zimbabwe.

Drilling Supervision: A Technical Perspective

Rural areas, where the majority of Zimbabweans reside, are mainly serviced through groundwater sources for their water supply needs. The life span for a significant number of boreholes that have invariably become the technology of choice in Zimbabwe has in most cases proved to be short. This has mainly been due to shortcomings bedeviling the drilling and construction process thereby making the professionalisation of the borehole drilling imperative. Borehole drilling supervision, among other factors, is an integral component of the borehole drilling professionalisation process. This requires the hiring of professionals with relevant qualifications and experience to provide adequate supervision of drilling and related operations for the purposes of controlling the quality of work and securing compliance with the design and technical specifications stipulated for the drilling works as well as generating information for making key decisions in terms of on-site design modifications and the final borehole depth. In this context, questions about whether there is sufficient capacity to supervise borehole drilling in Zimbabwe would need some answers.

Professionals have left the country

Most of the qualified hydrogeologists or professionals with a geological background and relevant experience in drilling supervision have migrated to other countries in the Southern Africa region and beyond. This has largely been due to the fact that job opportunities in the groundwater development field in Zimbabwe are scarce.

Guiding the future of STEM: empowering African women through mentorship

This blog is written by Mercy Hinga, a Water and Sanitation Engineer.

Photo: Attending the International Water Association Sanitation Conference and Expo. Photo Credit: Merch Hinga, 2023

In the dynamic realm of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), mentorship stands as a powerful catalyst in propelling the aspirations of Kenyan women in the water sector towards attaining Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) – safe water and sanitation for all. Across the continent, where opportunities in the sector remain uneven, mentoring emerges as a beacon of hope, connecting emerging talents with seasoned professionals towards increasing skilled and diverse talent in the water sector.

A significant challenge faced by African women in STEM within the water and sanitation sector is the scarcity of role models and avenues for skill development. Imagine being a young engineer without a senior female mentor to turn to for guidance? This absence profoundly impacts motivation and career aspirations. This encounter motivated me to coordinate numerous meetings connecting a senior female engineer with my fellow graduate female colleagues, offering a platform for connection, guidance, and access to resources that would otherwise remain out of reach.

The impact of mentorship extends beyond personal growth; it shapes the future of STEM in Africa and communities at large. Drawing from personal experience in the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) mentorship program, my trajectory was transformed. This mentorship not only encouraged further education but also led to the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, shaping my career advancement. Furthermore, participating in the mentorship project Mentoring future women graduates in STEM in Africa implemented by the University of Plymouth and funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) has played a crucial role in shaping my career aspirations in leadership and management. This has been achieved through engaging sessions with my mentor and fellow participants in the program.

While there has been tremendous improvement in the inclusion of women in water utilities, consulting firms, research institutions, and NGOs, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the glass ceiling has not yet been shattered. For instance, less than one in five water workers are women, according to new research by the World Bank’s Water Global Practice. Women are also underrepresented in technical and managerial positions where, in sampled utilities, on average only 23 percent of licensed engineers are women. This is contributing to an ongoing deficiency in the representation of women in both the expansion and leadership aspects of the field. More women need to secure seats at the table where decisions are made to ensure that diverse perspectives shape the future of the water and sanitation sector.

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in breaking barriers, extending its reach from low cadres to mid-level and management positions. To truly shatter the glass ceiling, mentorship programs should not only focus on professional development but also advocate for a conducive work-life balance. It is essential to empower women to enjoy what they do in the sector, fostering an environment where their contributions are not only recognized but also celebrated.

In my opinion, mentorship initiatives should extend beyond traditional hierarchies, creating networks where women can learn from each other at all levels. Establishing women’s networks within the sector provides a platform for sharing experiences, insights, and strategies to navigate challenges. These networks become invaluable sources of support, fostering a sense of community and mutual empowerment.

In conclusion, let us recognize mentorship as a powerful catalyst propelling African women’s engagement and success in the water and sanitation sector. Just as the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” signifies collective support in nurturing future generations, supporting African women in the water and sanitation sector demands a collective effort. I believe that it is crucial for existing systems to champion and support the talents of women in STEM, fostering an environment where their contributions are not just acknowledged but celebrated, driving progress and innovation in these critical fields.

Mercy Hinga is a Water and Sanitation Engineer specializing in WASH Projects business models and financing. She is also a mentee with the Mentoring future women graduates in STEM in Africa project by the University of Plymouth and funded by Royal Engineering Academy UK.

Inspire inclusion through mentorship: a collaboration between RWSN and Agenda for Change

Image: An inspiring group of women water and sanitation professionals captured during World Water Week 2023 (L to R): Jane Nabunnya, Bethlehem Mengistu, Helen Pankhurst, Kate Harawa, Alec Shannon, Irene Gai, and Tara Bartnik.

The water and sanitation sectors have historically been male-dominated due to embedded gender and social norms, thereby restricting women’s study and employment in these fields. The lack of women role models has further contributed to the prevalence of men in technical and decision-making roles. While progress has been made in recent years, achieving gender parity in these sectors remains a challenge.

Gender disparities are especially pronounced in leadership roles within water-related career opportunities, such as utilities, ministries, and senior roles in non-governmental institutions. A World Bank study from 2019 conveyed that only 18% of their workers from 64 water and sanitation service providers worldwide were women, and only 23% of engineers and managers in a utility were female. These disparities start at the university level, which is why encouraging more girls to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related topics is crucial for untapped talent for the water and WASH sectors.

This is also where mentorship emerges as an effective strategy to help close this gender gap, since it enables professional development, equipping women with the skills required to navigate systemic barriers and collectively level the playing field. As a global network, RWSN has supported an annual mentoring scheme for young water professionals since 2019. This year, we are teaming up with Agenda for Change to offer both a general mentoring track and one specifically for women water and sanitation professionals, encompassing mentors and mentees at any career stage.

Mentorship benefits both mentors and mentees, fostering a win-win situation. The mentor’s role includes active listening skills, offering empathetic understanding to your mentee, and providing clarity on their personal and professional objectives. This dedicated focus on another’s journey fosters personal and professional growth, as seen in the example questions mentees bring (below), ranging from career paths to organizational decisions:

Does the student finishing her PhD really want a career in international development or will she achieve much more in her own country?
Should the mid-career consultant take over the retiring boss’s company or step away from water consulting completely?
How should an NGO manager rebuild and refocus the organisation after COVID?

Sponsorship complements mentorship. While mentorship enhances skills, provides guidance, and offers coaching, sponsorship goes further. The mentor becomes the mentee’s advocate, facilitating connections, and acts as an amplifier. This external facing aspect is equally vital and boosts the mentees access to opportunities.

On Women’s Day (and everyday), it is important that senior women not hinder the progress of those following in their career footsteps. Equally, for men to be subtle champions for women, fostering respect and an openness to learn about invisible barriers they may face. Ultimately, collaborative efforts between genders will continue to ensure continuous flow of talent that benefits us all.

Happy International Women’s Day!

We are thrilled to announce our joint RWSN and Agenda for Change mentorship program in 2024! Applications will open on 14 March 2024.

This year’s programme features three tracks:

Women in WASH (for women only – with traditional and near-peer mentoring tracks)
Career Progression (for young professionals of both genders)
Solar pumping and groundwater courses alumni (by invitation)

Find more details on the eligibility criteria and on how to apply here: RWSN Mentoring programme – Rural Water Supply Network and here: Agenda for Change Women in WASH mentorship program.

Rural Water Point Functionality: Evidence From Nine Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

by Dr Anna Murray, Deputy Director of Research, The Aquaya Institute

The sustainability of drinking water supply infrastructure remains a challenge in rural areas of low-and middle-income countries. Through this research to identify factors contributing to functionality, we analyzed monitoring data from ten non-governmental organization drinking water supply programs across nine sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries. Data were from 1,805 randomly selected water points, including tap stands, spring protections, rainwater collection systems, and hand pumps.

We found an impressive 92% of sampled water points constructed within the prior year were functional, versus only 79% of those constructed earlier (average 3.5 years, range: 1–12 years old).

Tap stands from piped water systems exhibited 74% lower odds of functioning than boreholes with hand pumps within the older construction sample. This disparity underscores the necessity of considering the suitability and reliability of various water supply systems in rural contexts.

As global efforts to expand piped water services align with international development goals, our results advocate for a nuanced approach. Higher water service levels offer undeniable benefits, but the accompanying technological, institutional, and financial requirements must be carefully weighed. Particularly in rural settings, where challenges of limited resources and infrastructure maintenance persist, comprehensive strategies are essential to mitigate risks and maximize the effectiveness of water supply interventions.

Read the full Open Access paper here:

Murray, A. L., Stone, G., Yang, A. R., Lawrence, N. F., Matthews, H., & Kayser, G. L. (2024). Rural water point functionality estimates and associations: Evidence from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Water Resources Research, 60, e2023WR034679. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR034679

The dataset is available here.

Photo: An abandoned tap stand. Credit: A. Murray

Mentoring as a pathway toward increasing African women in STEM

This blog is written by Njeri Ngugi, a female Graduate Engineer who finalising her Master’s degree in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering.

Feature image: Njeri Performing routine maintenance on feed chopper, Kenya, 2023. Credit: Njeri Ngugi

“Achieve Gender Equality and empower women and girls” is the stated goal of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5). The UN and Constitution of Kenya, 2010 acknowledges gender equality as a fundamental right and cornerstone of a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous global community. Gender equality pertains to equal access to health care, legislative representation, economic processes, education and decent work.

I define mentoring as when someone (a mentor), shares their knowledge, skills, and experience with another person (a mentee), to help them to progress. It is a relationship between two people with the goal of professional and personal development.

I believe we all should wear both caps. Seek guidance from those with more knowledge and/or experience whilst guiding others.

The underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), particularly in Africa and even in my country Kenya, is a challenge that demands innovative solutions. We continue to face barriers in pursuing STEM careers, ranging from cultural stereotypes to limited access to educational resources amongst others. Mentors serve as living examples that debunk myths and demonstrate that success knows no gender.

Statistics Confirm Power of Mentorship for African Women Engineers

According to a 2021 UNESCO report on Unlocking the Potential of Girls in STEM in Kenya, women make up 35% of students in STEM in higher education worldwide.

I am a Kenyan graduate engineer under the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) – the Kenyan statutory body that registers and accredits engineering programs offered by universities. As of January 2024, out of the 21,769 registered graduate engineers in Kenya, only 3,010 are women, representing a paltry 13.8 percent.

“If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.”
J Loren Norris

Over the years, I have sought mentors at various stages of my life and career. I have not only gained knowledge and skills but also obtained invaluable tips about challenges faced and those expected in pursuing my education and career.

There are initiatives across Africa actively mentoring women in STEM. These initiatives are actively working towards bridging the gender gap in STEM fields by providing mentorship, training, networking, and support systems that empower African women to excel and thrive in STEM. They include African Women in Science and Engineering (AWSE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Africa, TechWomen Africa, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) and Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Fellows Program. I would like to highlight two more that have transformed my career.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has a mentorship platform under the Women Engineers Chapter. By linking mentees with established professionals, the mentorship program provides access to a broader range of opportunities, including internships and collaborative projects. Additionally, mentoring enhances personal and professional networks, making job hunting easier when the time comes. Engaging with women engineers has played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence and challenging stereotypes that discourage women from entering and building engineering careers.

I am currently a mentee under Mentoring future women graduates in STEM in Africa implemented by the University of Plymouth and funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). My mentor Euphresia Luseka has guided me in career mapping and held me accountable to achieving my goals. She encouraged me to envision myself in leadership roles within STEM. As mentees progress in their careers, they often become mentors themselves, creating a ripple effect that contributes to a sustainable increase in the number of women pursuing and excelling in STEM fields.

African women in STEM should proactively utilize such programs that aim to connect them with experienced mentors, offering support, guidance, and networking opportunities to advance their careers in STEM.

Finding Your Mentor and Grow Towards Your Goals

A mentee must identify what you hope to achieve through mentorship. Clarify your career aspirations, areas for improvement, or specific skills you want to develop. Leverage professional networks, both online and offline, to connect with individuals who align with your goals. LinkedIn and industry associations have been particularly helpful to me. Subsequently, identify potential mentors, initiate contact through a polite and concise message. Express your admiration for their work and articulate why you seek their mentorship.

The mentorship relationship needs to be built and nurtured. Where possible, invest time in building a relationship before formally asking for mentorship. Attend their activities, engage in discussions, or seek advice on specific topics to establish rapport. Define the structure, frequency of meetings, and specific areas you hope to focus on during the mentorship. Open communication is key to a successful mentorship.

Mindfulness in any relationship enhances gratitude and satisfaction, and mentorship is no exception. Explicitly recognizing the four pillars of mentorship (trust, respect, expectation, communication) strengthens the relationship and makes it more effective.

Paying it Forward keeps the Future of Mentorship Bright

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.”
Phil Collins

For women in STEM fields, loneliness can be a major disincentive. Through the connection of women with similar experiences, mentoring fosters a sense of community. This network of support not only advances their career path but also makes the STEM field more diverse and inclusive.

In the quest to increase the number of African women in STEM fields, mentoring serves as a ray of hope. Mentorship programs have the capacity to unleash the full range of creativity and talent present on the continent by establishing a culture of support, encouragement, and direction.

As Our World in Data reveals, it is worth noting that while economic gender disparities are still prevalent and significant, they are now less than they were a few decades ago. As we celebrate the successes of women who have broken barriers in STEM, let us also commit to paying it forward, creating a future where the brilliance of African women in STEM shines as a beacon of progress and inspiration.

About the author:

Njeri Ngugi is a female Graduate Engineer finalising a Master’s degree in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering (Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. She is registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as an EIA/EA Associate Expert with a passion for Integrated Water Resources Management, Multiple uses of water and the water-food-energy nexus. She is also a mentee with the Engineers Board of Kenya and Mentoring future women graduates in STEM in Africa project by the University of Plymouth and funded by Royal Engineering Academy UK.

USAID REAL-Water Explores the Impact of the Water Quality Assurance Fund on Ghana’s Water Sector Formalization

Read the full article here

Bono and Ahafo Region, Ghana — Ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water supplies is a pressing concern for public health. While urban areas often benefit from established procedures for water quality monitoring, rural regions frequently lack resources and expertise. This article, produced by USAID’s REAL-Water Activity, explores how a rural water innovation is shifting the communal mindset from “water is life” to “safe water is life,” emphasizing the importance of water quality and the heightened expectations for water operators. It also highlights the unique challenge that researchers face in meeting the growing demand for solutions, which often outpaces the rate at which they are able to complete their evaluations. The article elaborates on this “researcher’s dilemma” and its implications.

Related Resources

African children submit demands to governments to be first and fast to firm up climate change action in the water sector

Feature image: Ajoh Majur, 12, uses her body weight to activate a handpump. South Sudan, Photo Credit: Lynsey Addario

Blog by Euphresia Luseka, RWSN Leave No-one Behind Theame Leader

The SDG’s commitment to ‘Leave No One Behind’ means acceleration efforts must focus on reaching the most vulnerable groups; this includes children.

African children are born and grow in the climate crisis.

“Present and future generations of children will bear the brunt of the intensifying effects of the climate crisis throughout their lifetime, these impacts are already occurring,” said UNICEF.

UNICEF estimates that one billion children globally are at “extremely high” risk of suffering from impacts of the climate crisis. The need for action has never been more urgent. The climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis.

Since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989, unprecedented gains have been made for children. However, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018), Special Report on Global Warming warns the progress risks undermining the escalating climate crisis, which poses an acute threat to children’s survival, development and well-being.

Short-term Thinking as a Triple Threat of Water-Related Crisis is Endangering the Lives of Africa’s Children

On August 2023, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child affirmed children’s right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment under General Comment No. 26. During the 2023 Human Rights Council the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr.Volker Türk, deplored that despite all the alarm bells going off, leaders were still not acting with the determination required and getting “stuck in the short term”.

“If this is not a human rights issue, what is?”, he asked.

Africa is facing a water catastrophe. While the climate and water-related shocks are escalating globally, the risks compound most for children in Africa; 40% of Africa’s population was under 15 years old in 2022. Children in 98 percent of African countries are at the highest risk from a convergence of three water-related threats: Inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene; Its related diseases; and Climate hazards. This is most acute in the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Guinea, Somalia, and Guinea-Bissau making West and Central Africa one of the world’s most water-insecure and climate-impacted regions.

Volunteer opportunity: RWSN co-Theme Leader – Sustainable Services

The Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) is a network of individuals and organisations that are committed to improving water services for the rural poor everywhere in the world. Being a Theme Leader of RWSN is a commitment to sharing knowledge and good practices, and to share the RWSN vision of “a world in which all rural people have access to sustainable and reliable water supplies which can be effectively managed to provide sufficient, affordable and safe water within a reasonable distance of the home.”

The Sustainable Services Theme is one of 6 Themes in the Rural Water Supply Network. Sustainable Services means that water users have reliable and affordable access to enough water of sufficiently high quality to meet their daily needs. There are many ways that such access can be achieved, from household self-supply to large-scale water utilities.

The sustainability of rural water services is a constant and critical challenge, requiring skilled individuals with adequate resources and support to ensure the consistent availability of safe water in households. Although community management is prevalent, it has limitations, prompting the development of new management models that prioritise professionalisation. This shift is occurring amidst escalating challenges such as climate change, pollution, shrinking aid budgets, corruption, rising income inequality, violence, and political instability.

Thematic Priorities

Systematic institutional strengthening: sharing lessons learned on strengthening local and national systems, and practical approaches and overcoming tensions between working with the grain of existing social and institutional structures that are likely to be more sustainable, but less inclusive to some marginalised groups.
Professionalisation: Documenting and sharing management models, professional development and management practices, and their enabling systems at local and national levels.
Regulation: engaging with regulators and sharing experiences and identifying good practices in rural and small town regulation on how to balance tensions and trade-offs between competing economic, social, political and environmental priorities.
Financing of life-cycle costs and exploring ways to increasing financial sources and financial viability of rural water services across different contexts.
Resilient services: sharing emerging practices and solutions for increasing the resilience of rural water service providers – with a specific focus on climate resilience, which has be identified by RWSN members as one of their main challenges.

Interested?

We are particularly interested in applicants with operational experience of rural water services.

Download the full description and apply by 23 February:

Send your CV along with a 1-page cover letter to the RWSN Executive Steering Committee to introduce yourself and your organisation, and state why you’re interested in the Theme Leader position by 23 February 2024. Applications and enquiries should be sent to the RWSN Secretariat (info@rural-water-supply.net).

theme-leader-sustainabled-services Download

The presence of a handpump does not mean that people have access to reliable and sustainable water services. Here’s how we tried to show it in eight councils in the Mvila Division, South Region of Cameroon.

By Victor Dang Mvongo, MSc, a PhD student at the University of Dschang (Cameroon) and an independent consultant in WASH. He conducted the work featured in this blog at the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences.

Handpumps, the most common rural water supply equipment in sub-Saharan Africa, are a symbol of the sustainability issue facing rural water services. According to Macarthur (2015), handpumps are a lifesaver for 184 million people living in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan African statistics on handpumps’ functionality indicate that 36% of them are broken, with country-level rates varying from 10% to 65% (RWSN 2009).

In Cameroon, little data are available on the functionality of the handpump. However, Deal and Furey (2019) estimate that 32% of handpumps are non-functional. Thus, for the impacted rural areas, this means that the anticipated returns on investment—better health, nutrition, and education—are jeopardized. In order to mobilize the necessary national and international efforts in the region, this study intends to give local information on the functionality of handpumps in the Mvila Division (Southern Region of Cameroon).