Creating sustainable water services through borehole banking

Borehole Banking is a concept borrowed from the Village Savings and Loans Model whose aim is to improve sustainability of boreholes by reducing rate of non-functional Handpumps. Borehole banking helps to increase a sense of ownership in the community as access to loans is open to those that contribute towards the water point monthly tariff fee. Community members get loans from the bank to pay for various bills and pay back at an agreed interest rate and agreed period. Borehole banking has improved the rate of functionality from 64 % in 2015 to 94% in 2017(FLOW results). Increased sense of ownership among communities is a good way to ensure that water systems are sustained. Water points have readily available funds to purchase spare parts and pay for any services rendered to them.