The key to sustainability

Important hygiene promotion messages are publicised using a latrine slab.

Credit: WaterAid / Jim Holmes

In the late 1990s WaterAid worked in the town of Oju for two years developing and perfecting a water and sanitation delivery process that promoted low-cost technology, community participation and community empowerment.

WaterAid's work in Oju has proved a great success with a high number of water points still in operation ten years after they were established.

The project showcases the success of its demand responsive and community management approach. This process strives for sustainability through community participation and empowerment.

The demand responsive and community management approach refers to a collection of strategies and techniques for engaging with communities or local people to generate demand, determine and prioritise their needs and involve them in planning, implementing and managing projects to meet those needs.

In the Oju town project, each member of the community was involved right from the onset in planning, decision-making, operation and maintenance. In this way the community took full ownership of the project. 

Due to the success of this project this approach has been used as a reference point for scaling up elsewhere in the country.

If you would like to read about the demand responsive  and community management approach in greater detail, please download Critical steps for implementation of sustainable water and sanitation projects ( PDF 601Kb).