Maturity model for operation and maintenance in the rural water sector: a case study of Uganda

The operation and maintenance of rural water systems in developing countries face significant challenges that impact their sustainability and effectiveness. While access to safe and reliable water is crucial for public health and economic development, rural water systems often struggle with inadequate funding, lack of technical expertise, and limited community involvement. This study aimed to develop a maturity model to assess the effectiveness of Operation and Maintenance practices in the rural water sector in low and middle-income countries, contributing to the sustainability and reliability of drinking water for rural communities. A case study approach was used, covering ten service providers in three regions of Uganda. Data collection methods included a literature review, document analysis, and survey questionnaires. The two key management systems were professionalised, and community based. Professional services were mainly used in government and public-private partnership programs. The study found that professionalized service providers were generally at a proactive maturity level (level 3), characterized by structured and consistent operations, while those under community-based management were at an initial maturity level (level 1). Most service providers, particularly those operating under CBMS, relied heavily on reactive maintenance, addressing issues only after breakdowns occurred. Financial stability was a major challenge for most of the service providers. The study recommends developing local revenue-generating models and training water management teams in financial literacy, as well as implementing regular preventive maintenance to reduce breakdowns and extend infrastructure life, ultimately lowering costs.