Creating accountability lines for sustainable rural water services in Tanzania

Rural water services in Tanzania are characterised by high non-functionality, unequal distribution and little accountability. One major reason is an unsuccessful decentralisation effort. This paper describes SNV Netherlands Development Organisation’s work on improving water point functionality by increasing accountability in the sector. After conducting different pilots, an intervention framework emerged that combines interventions that build the capacity of community owned water supply organisations (COWSO) to operate and manage their water services and increases claim-making powers of water users. The framework capacitates local councillors to provide oversight and introduces evidence-based planning, while capacitating local governments to regulate water services and support COWSOs. Lines of accountability and answerability between each of these actors are created throughout the interventions.