1. Drinking water projects in developing countries Factors of success and failure Luc Hens Human Ecology Department Free University of Brussels Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels Human.ecology@vub.ac.be http://www.vub.ac.be/MEKO/

2. Human Ecology Department Content Water quality Water quality Water quantity Water quantity Managing a drinking water project Managing a drinking water project Gender balance Gender balance The economic value of water The economic value of water

3. Human Ecology Department Water quality Biological pollutants Biological pollutants Eye infections Penetrating skin TyphusDIARRHOEA Chemical pollution Chemical pollution As skin pigmentation + cancer F - dental effects + fluorosis

4. Human Ecology Department Water quantity Drought Drought Deforestation Deforestation Irrigation Irrigation Population growth Population growth

5. Human Ecology Department Managing a drinking water project Building mutual trust Building mutual trust Mapping Mapping Community management

6. Human Ecology Department Semi-structured interview Semi-structured interview Household sketches Household sketches Seasonal changes Seasonal changes Institutions: roles and responsibilities Institutions: roles and responsibilities Local knowledge Local knowledge Conflict management: ‘select a water committee’ Conflict management: ‘select a water committee’ select members among clear criteria Assessment of satisfaction Assessment of satisfaction

7. Human Ecology Department Gender balance Increase participation of women Create an environment that encourages women

8. Human Ecology Department The economic value of water Willingness to pay Improve service Threats to the existing service Improvement of the economic situation Reasons for not payment Poor management tariff system Lack of community ownership Perception of water as a free resource Poverty Government’s responsibility Transparent tariff system

9. Human Ecology Department Conclusion Developing countries Poor water quality Poor water quantity Technical assistance Education Community management Gender balance Transparent tariff system