Expand sustainable operation and maintenance of handpumps for rural communities in Balkh Province, Afghanistan

Normally DACAAR sets up an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) system while installing new wells, this time around DACAAR went out in one Province (Balkh Province) in which we had not worked previously. Visited 2095 well sites and managed to convince the communities to become part of O&M system with a mechanic serving 50 – 100 wells. In the process 534 hand pumps were repaired. During the process of setting up the O&M systen a number of construction mistakes and sort cuts in community approaches were noted. What has been learned that NGO’s have a responsibility to bring proven systems (community approach as well quality of hardware) to the communities. To enforce such behaviour coordination and outreach is needed by the authorities and peer pressure and donor awareness for the need of quality workmanship, proper community outreach and setting up and follow up of a O&M system to ensure lasting functioning of water points (hand pumps and piped systems).