Self supply schemes for community water supply in Ghana

Jachie and Esereso are communities in the Bosomtwi-Atwima Kwanwoma District in Ashanti Region located on the outskirts of Kumasi with poor access to improved water supply services. The acute water supply situation in the communities has led many individuals described in this study as ‘Self Suppliers’ to provide water to serve their families and other members of the community for free or for a fee. This study examined who the Self Suppliers are, how they operate, the quality of water supplied, their market share and coverage through a survey carried out with these service providers and consumers in both communities. The Self Suppliers are the main water service providers in the two communities. However, water quality from these providers did not meet the Ghana Standards Board’s required quality levels. This paper highlights the role of these self-supply schemes in community water supply delivery in Ghana

Shifting from public shared toilets to home toilets in urban settlements: implications of household demand in Kumasi, Ghana

This study was conducted to assess the households’ attributes towards the use of public toilet, demand for improved household toilet and the implications of shifting from public shared toilet to improved household or home toilet. A sample of 120 houses was randomly selected from two groups – those without improved household toilets and those with improved household toilets built with subsidy. The results showed that most of the households using public toilet (86%) were not satisfied with the cleanliness and odour, but were not aware of the home toilet promotion. High and middle income households (82%) received subsidy of 50% of the cost of household toilet. Most of the low income households residing in multifamilies houses did not have improved household toilet due to limited space for facility, multilandlords from extended families, and lack of motivation resulting from the presence of public shared toilets. There are difficulties in shifting from public shared toilets to improved household toilets

Partnerships in sanitation service management and infrastructure provision in Kumasi, Ghana

This paper investigates the potentials of the private sector in the development and management of sanitation infrastructure and services within three Sub metros in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). A case study approach was used and data on public toilets under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and franchise management were collected. Results showed that users of BOT facilities were generally satisfied with the services they receive but the KMA-owned toilets under franchised management receive low patronage because of the poor management and political interference. Some factors plaguing the partnership include mistrust between the partners, political interference and socio-cultural behaviour of the users

Capital maintenance study, the case of water supply systems in selected small towns

This Capital Maintenance Expenditure (CapManEx) study of seven Small Towns’ Water Systems provides understanding of the recurrent cost elements needed for sustainable services delivery. Field visits were carried out to the water systems and copies of available records on O&M were obtained. A data classification guide was used to classify the data and adjusted to the year 2011 using Gross Domestic Product deflators. The classified data was annualised to find the average total cumulative cost

Alternative low-cost latrine option for rural and peri-urban communities

The aim of the study was to develop a low-cost latrine that is suitable for use in the rural and peri-urban areas. The study assessed the key capital cost components of three commonly used on-site latrine technologies in Ghana (Ventilated Improved Pit, Traditional pour flush toilet, and Biofil toilet) which was used as basics for the design of a new low-cost latrine option. The study was conducted using field survey and field test. The results of the study revealed that, majority of latrine installation cost comes from pit lining, followed by pit excavation, cover slab, with pipe materials bearing the least cost. It was also found that installing the newly developed toilet technology saves 64 %, 62% and 83% of the cost of the Pour Flush toilet, VIP and Biofil toilet respectively

Water supply coping strategies in Accra

Many areas in Accra, the capital city of Ghana are experiencing shortfalls in water supply from the urban water utility, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) resulting in various means of coping. This study examined the various coping strategies and the cost of coping based on a survey carried out among 170 households in Accra. The coping strategies were buying from neighbours, water tanker operators, building water storage facilities and buying bottled and sachet water for drinking. Coping strategies and cost for different income groups in Accra are discussed. High income consumers buying directly from tanker operators pay 7 times GWCL lifeline rate, Low income consumers buying from neighbours/vendors were paying 10 -13 times GWCL rates. The cost of sachet water was 150 times GWCL rates and that for bottled water was 900 times GWCL lifeline rate per cubic meter

WASH infrastructure and menstrual hygiene management in basic schools: a study in Kumasi, Ghana

Understanding the role of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services on menstrual hygiene behaviors and practices and ultimately on school absenteeism is important to inform policy and practice. This study focused on how the schools’ WASH infrastructure affects Menstrual Hygiene Management. The study was based on data from seven schools in the Weweso circuit, Kumasi-Ghana collected through Focus Group Discussions, key informant interviews and observation of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in the selected schools. Public schools (government managed) did not have adequate provision for menstrual hygiene management and the private schools (individually owned) had better WASH infrastructure/services that provide a better environment for menstrual hygiene management compared to the public schools. The poor WASH infrastructure in basic schools constrain school girls from maintaining good menstrual hygiene practices. The study recommends education on menstrual hygiene management and the incorporation of adequate consideration for menstrual hygiene management infrastructure in basic schools (primary school)