Last week of May the E-CAP team worked with the Kalkrand Village Council, reviewing the Performance Support Team (PST) approach that was piloted in 2011, introducing the concept of performance indicators and discussing the outline of a socio-economic survey to be conducted in the village. The team also conducted an assessment of the current status of water supply and sanitation services in the village by interviewing representatives from 38 households and inspection of their water supply and sanitation facilities. The assessment was carried out in close co-operation with the technical staff of the Village Council. Preliminary findings of the re-assessment of the current status of water supply and sanitation were presented to the Council staff and the Councillors.
The outcome of the assessment showed that the water supply and sanitation services have improved significantly since the first visit by the E-CAP team, and the introduction of the PST approach in 2011. Most in yard pre-paid water meters and old conventional water meters have now been replaced with new conventional water meters. All newly installed water meters are installed above ground and are well maintained. It was observed that some households take extra care in protecting their new water meters.
A majority of households surveyed in Kalkrand are connected to a vacuum sewer system, though combinations of buckets and the bush are still used by some inhabitants. Some households revert to using buckets and the bush when their water supply is disconnected. Respondents indicated that due to problems with the installation of pipes in newly constructed toilets, sewage water from the toilet often comes up through the drain in the shower. Despite the issues with leaking toilets and some few sewerage lines, a majority of respondents viewed the vacuum system as an improvement of their living standards when compared to the bucket, pit latrine and bush.
The full report will be available for download soon.
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