2017年-世界发展银行全球_Sustainability_of_Demand_Responsive_Approaches_to_Rural_Water_Supply___The_Case_of_Kerala_30页_783kb

Summary of "Sustainability of Demand Responsive Approaches to Rural Water Supply: The Case of Kerala"

Core Content

This paper evaluates the sustainability and performance of demand responsive (DRA) and supply-based approaches to rural water supply in Kerala, India. It highlights the benefits of community-based DRA and provides empirical evidence comparing it with the traditional supply-driven model. The study contributes to the global discourse on rural water supply by proposing a multidimensional framework for measuring performance and sustainability.

Main Views and Key Findings

• Performance and Sustainability of DRA:

  • Participatory community-driven water supply schemes, such as those under the Jalanidhi project, are more successful in delivering adequate, regular, and quality water supply.
  • These schemes experience fewer breakdowns and water shortages, and have higher consumer satisfaction.
  • The success of DRA is attributed to community participation, financial contributions, and active involvement in the planning, construction, and operation of water systems.

• Traditional Supply-Driven Approach:

  • The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) traditionally managed water supply with a top-down approach, emphasizing construction over O&M and financial sustainability.
  • This model often led to poor long-term performance due to lack of community involvement and insufficient maintenance.

• Key Factors for Sustainability:

  • Community Participation: Increases ownership and ensures better service delivery.
  • Financial Contributions: Beneficiaries and local governments (Gram Panchayats) contribute to capital and O&M costs.
  • Institutional Support: Includes regular elections, maintenance of records, and preparation of annual reports.
  • Gender Inclusion: Presence of female members in key roles within Beneficiary Groups (BGs) is crucial for institutional sustainability.

• Methodology:

  • The study used a matched sample approach to compare schemes from different institutional regimes.
  • Six performance and sustainability indexes were developed, including:
    • Availability and Reliability Index
    • Household Satisfaction Index
    • Cost of Service Index
    • Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Index
    • O&M Cost Recovery Index
    • Institutional Sustainability Index
  • Z-scores were used to standardize continuous variables, ensuring a fair comparison of performance across schemes.

• Empirical Data:

  • The study collected data from 200 comparable water schemes, including 90 Jalanidhi, 44 KWA-BM, and 66 other community managed schemes.
  • Data was gathered through household surveys, technical and financial audits, and institutional assessments.
  • Imputation techniques were used to handle missing data, ensuring robustness of the findings.

Key Information

• Time Period: The study analyzed schemes built between 1999 and 2010.

• Geographical Scope: Schemes were spread across 13 districts of Kerala (out of 14), with a focus on rural areas.

• Project Overview:

  • Jalanidhi Project: Launched in 2000, it aimed to implement a DRA, involving community participation and financial contributions.
  • KWA-BM: Traditional schemes managed by KWA, with less community involvement.
  • Other Community Managed Schemes: Included projects like SRP, Swajaldhara, and Jeevadhara, which also followed DRA principles.

• Impact Evaluation:

  • The study used quasi-experimental matching techniques to ensure that the comparison between scheme types was based on similar characteristics.
  • The findings suggest that DRA schemes are more sustainable and effective in delivering water services.

• Recommendations:

  • The paper recommends continued investment in community-based approaches.
  • It emphasizes the importance of institutional arrangements, capacity development, and financial sustainability in ensuring long-term success of rural water supply schemes.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the demand responsive approach, particularly when implemented with community involvement and institutional support, is a superior model for rural water supply in terms of performance and sustainability. It provides a framework for evaluating these schemes and offers insights that can be applied to other developing countries facing similar challenges in rural water infrastructure.