Contractor Drilling with Pounder II

Project Manager Dr Richard Carter, Institute of Water and Environment, Cranfield University at Silsoe.This report contributes to the findings, implications, and future plans of a project, initiated by Cranfield University (Silsoe, UK) entitled “Private Sector Participation in Low Cost Water Well Drilling”.The project was funded by DFID from July 1998 to June 2001, with additional funding partners (Government of Uganda, DANIDA, SIDA, UNICEF, Water Aid, and an anonymous donor) joining at various stages throughout this three-year period

Private Sector Participation in Low Cost Water Well Drilling.

Project Manager Dr Richard Carter, Institute of Water and Environment, Cranfield University at Silsoe.This report contributes to the findings, implications, and future plans of a project, initiated by Cranfield University (Silsoe, UK) entitled “Private Sector Participation in Low Cost Water Well Drilling”.The project was funded by DFID from July 1998 to June 2001, with additional funding partners (Government of Uganda, DANIDA, SIDA, UNICEF, Water Aid, and an anonymous donor) joining at various stages throughout this three-year period

Out of projects and into SWAP: lessons from the Ugandan rural water and sanitation sub-sector

Experience of Sector-wide Approaches (SWAPs) for improving rural water supply and sanitation in Uganda has shown that not all of the “negative” aspects of project are overcome. Despite the difficulties that RWSS has experienced with regards to SWAP, we do not urge Donors or Government to abandon this approach. However, for SWAPs to work, and enable Governments to develop the vision for development of their citizens, a high level of commitment is required among all stakeholders, a long time horizon (more than ten years) is essential. Issues of procurement and accounting procedures, management skills and systems in Government, inadequate remuneration of civil servants, heterogeneity between different parts of the country and the need for targeted support to disadvantaged districts, and donor coordination need to be fully addressed

Especies autóctonas del jardín botánico de la Universidad de San Pablo-Tucumán : estudio fenológico y prácticas para su conservación

El Jardín Botánico de la Universidad de San Pablo-T, se encuentra en la sede ubicada en la Comuna de San Pablo perteneciente al Departamento Lules, a 13 Km. de la capital de Tucumán, en la región fitogeográfica de las yungas o pedemonte, al pie de las sierras de San Javier y Villa Nougués. Fitogeográficamente corresponde al límite entre la zona de Llanura Tucumana (350 a 550 msnm) y el inicio de la Selva Subtropical basal (550 a 900 msnm). Aparte de su belleza y exuberancia, tiene entre su diseño y ejemplares un enorme capital histórico. Se cree que fue diseñado alrededor de 1910 por el Arquitecto francés Carlos Thays. El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación de la Universidad de San Pablo-T es identificar las especies autóctonas del Jardín Botánico de esta Universidad. Se considera especie autóctona a aquella especie que se encuentra dentro de su área de distribución natural u original, con potencial de dispersión y sin la intervención del hombre (Lever, 1985). Se realizaron observaciones fenológicas a lo largo del año, en cada época de cosecha se recolectaron las semillas de las especies identificadas, las que se acondicionaron para su estudio e intercambio con otras instituciones. Entre algunas de las especies autóctonas del Jardín Botánico se destacan: Allophyllus edulis (chalchal); Anadenanthera colubrina (cebil colorado); Ceiba chodatti (palo borracho o yuchán); Enterolobium contortisiliquum (pacará); Handroanthus impetiginosus (lapacho rosado); Jacaranda mimosifolia (tarco, jacarandá); Tipuana tipu (tipa blanca). La preservación del germoplasma de especies autóctonas busca promover la supervivencia y reproducción de esas especies locales. Con esa práctica además, se intenta difundir la importancia cultural que poseen las mismas en la comunidad y propender a un mayor reconocimiento de los beneficios ecosistémicos que brindan.The Botanic Garden of San Pablo-T University, is located in the Commune of San Pablo, which belongs to Lules Department, 13 km from the capital of Tucumán. This region is phytogeographically designated as “Yungas" or “Pedemonte" and is placed at the beginning of sierras San Javier and Villa Nougués. This area defines a limit between the Plain (350 to 550 meters above sea level) and the Basal Subtropical Jungle (550 to 900 meters above sea level). Apart from its beauty and exuberance, the Botanic Garden has a design and a set of exemplars of huge historical importance: it is believed to have been designed around 1910, by the French Architect, Carlos Thays. The aim of the present work is to identify the native species of the Botanic Garden of San Pablo-T University. It is considered as "native" species to all those species that are within its natural or original area, away from human intervention, keeping dispersion potential (Lever, 1985). Phenological observations were made throughout this year, harvesting seeds of the species identified for study and exchange with other institutions. It is tried to preserve the germplasm of species that are in danger of disappearing, have a threatened reproduction or survival. The purpose of this project is to promote greater recognition of the cultural importance and the ecosystemic benefits that the Botanic Garden provides to the community. Some of the native species of the Botanical Garden are listed below: Allophyllus edulis (chalchal); Anadenanthera colubrina (Cebil colorado); Ceiba chodatti (drunk or Yuchan); Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Pacará); Handroanthus impetiginosus (Lapacho rosado); Jacaranda mimosifolia (Tarco, jacaranda); Tipuana tipu (Tipa blanca). The preservation of germplasm of native species seeks the survival and reproduction of local species. Its purpose is to spread the cultural importance they have in the community to achieve greater recognition of the ecosystem benefits they provide.Fil: Colombo, Marcela Blanca. Universidad de San Pablo-T (Tucumán, Argentina)Fil: Ríos, Alejandro Daniel. Universidad de San Pablo-T (Tucumán, Argentina)Fil: Danert, Carla María. Universidad de San Pablo-T (Tucumán, Argentina

Monitoring groundwater use as a domestic water source by urban households: Analysis of data from Lagos State, Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa with implications for policy and practice

The fundamental importance of groundwater for urban drinking water supplies in sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly recognised. However, little is known about the trends in urban groundwater development by individual households and its role in securing safely-managed drinking water supplies. Anecdotal evidence indicates a thriving self-supply movement to exploit groundwater in some urban sub-Saharan African settings, but empirical evidence, or analysis of the benefits and drawbacks, remains sparse. Through a detailed analysis of official datasets for Lagos State, Nigeria we examine the crucial role played by groundwater and, specifically, by household self-supply for domestic water provision. We then set this in the context of Nigeria and of sub-Saharan Africa. One of the novelties of this multi-scalar approach is that it provides a granular understanding from large-scale datasets. Our analysis confirms the importance of non-piped water supplies in meeting current and future drinking water demand by households in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and the role played, through self-supply, by groundwater. Our results demonstrate inconsistencies between datasets, and we make recommendations for the future. We argue that a key actor in the provision of drinking water supplies, the individual household, is largely overlooked by officially reported data, with implications for both policy and practice

Manual Borehole Drilling as a Cost-Effective Solution for Drinking Water Access in Low-Income Contexts

Water access remains a challenge in rural areas of low-income countries. Manual drilling technologies have the potential to enhance water access by providing a low cost drinking water alternative for communities in low and middle income countries. This paper provides an overview of the main successes and challenges experienced by manual boreholes in the last two decades. A review of the existing methods is provided, discussing their advantages and disadvantages and comparing their potential against alternatives such as excavated wells and mechanized boreholes. Manual boreholes are found to be a competitive solution in relatively soft rocks, such as unconsolidated sediments and weathered materials, as well as and in hydrogeological settings characterized by moderately shallow water tables. Ensuring professional workmanship, the development of regulatory frameworks, protection against groundwater pollution and standards for quality assurance rank among the main challenges for the future

Technology transfer for development : insights from the introduction of low cost water well drilling technology to Uganda

Third World development theory and practice are changing so rapidly that it is important to critically examine the fashions of today before they become history. This thesis considers the development, transfer, early adoption and sustainable use of technology, coupled with private sector participation in rural water supply provision. Improving water supplies for rural communities is one of the key challenges faced by development interventionists today. Lack of low cost, off the shelf technology for local enterprise which can provide affordable shallow wells for rural communities is one barrier to facilitating improvements. This thesis is based on research undertaken in Uganda to develop and transfer low cost water drilling technology in the context of decentralisation and privatisation policies. An extensive range of literature has been drawn together into 16 principles which guide technology transfer and development intervention. These principles are reexamined in the light of analysis of first hand experiences of undertaking a technology transfer project and interviews with stakeholders regarding their attitudes and perceptions. The research found that technology transfer is a cross-disciplinary and cross cultural process in which the linkages between the technology, context, individuals, organisations and beneficiaries need to be firmly established. Ugandan business and local Government culture plays a major role in facilitating successful technology uptake. Dealing with the risks associated with low cost groundwater technology is fundamental for its wider adoption. The process of technology transfer is important, particularly as high levels of stakeholder participation may compromise the delivery of outputs, at least in the short term. In terms of future challenges, this thesis shows that, culture, governance and equity need to be closely examined in relation to private sector participation in rural infrastructure provision. Private sector participation can conflict with community participation. How to adequately support innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa while harmonising development interventions is a challenge to the development community.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Groundwater policy and planning

Groundwater policy defines objectives, ambitions and priorities for managing groundwater resources, for the benefit of society. Planning translates policy into programmes of action. Both are often part of a wider water resource policy and planning framework, but the specific challenges pertaining to groundwater have traditionally received less attention than surface water. The terms ‘policy,’ ‘strategy’ and ‘plans’ are used interchangeably in many countries and contexts

Domestic groundwater abstraction in Lagos, Nigeria: a disjuncture in the Science-Policy-Practice Interface?

The rapid development of groundwater systems as part of urban water supplies around the globe is raising critical questions regarding the sustainable management of this essential resource. Yet, in many major cities, the absence of an effective policy regime means that the practice of groundwater exploitation is driven by the actions of domestic households and drilling contractors. Understanding what shapes the decisions and practices of these actors, their understandings of the groundwater resource and the extent to which scientific knowledge shapes this understanding, is an area of critical importance that is currently under-researched. Using a mixed-methods methodology, the paper explores domestic practices of groundwater abstraction in Lagos, Nigeria. It finds that there is a disjuncture between the households who are actively shaping exploitation of the groundwater resource on a day-to-day basis and science and state actors. This disjuncture results in household decisions that are influenced by commonly held, but potentially outdated, perceptions of the groundwater resource rather than scientific evidence or policy instruments. The unseen nature of groundwater resources effectively renders the scale of changing groundwater conditions invisible to households and the state, adding to the challenge of influencing practice. Addressing this disjuncture requires not just more scientific knowledge, but also the active construction of interfaces with, and between, non-state actors through which knowledge can be confronted, discussed and shared

Resilience in groundwater supply systems: integrating resource based approaches with agency, behaviour and choice

Access to safe and reliable water supplies is a key goal for households and governments across most of Africa. Groundwater reserves can play a critical role in achieving this, yet risks of contamination and over-abstraction threaten to undermine the resilience of this supply. A rapidly rising trend for privately-developed wells and boreholes raises additional concerns about the vulnerability of water supplies to natural or man-made environmental shocks. The potential scale of the situation is particularly marked in Nigeria where the use of boreholes has increased exponentially since 1999 (from 10% of the population to 38% in 2015), with most other forms of water supply, notably piped tap water, falling. Developing effective groundwater management approaches that build the resilience of communities is challenging, not least given the range of different actors involved, their competing interests and demands, and variations in the hydrogeological environment. Insights from resilience studies in social science emphasise how the resilience of ecological resources to shocks and change is critically linked to the adaptive capacity of social systems and their agents. Choices made now have long-lasting effects, yet these choices are little understood. Understanding the choices made by consumers, drillers and policy actors requires a strong interdisciplinary dimension and argues for new perspectives as to how the resilience of communities and societies might be built. The project brings together a unique interdisciplinary collaboration between academics from the UK and Nigeria working in the fields of economic geography, psychology, hydrogeology and journalism studies