Numerical modelling to better understand urban water systems

Humanitarian response to the Syria crisis lacked means to define deficiencies of urban water services/systems. Suitable numerical models were developed to better understand sector performance, analyse the different components of the dynamic systems and measure the impact of repairs and rehabilitation works. Indicators were used to define performance levels of the main components, which are in turn converted into various composite indicators defining the Adequacy, Efficiency and Dependability of water systems. Collected data was used to analyse the performance of systems and highlight bottlenecks and shortcomings to better address their needs. The numerical models could systematically measure repair/rehabilitate effects. Models could also be used for setting priorities and allocating budgets to suit different priority perspectives. These uses made it possible to adapt a systematic approach to set priorities and to planning in general and understand the effects of humanitarian and/or early recovery works in this domain

Ensuring sustainability and improving functionality of water supply facilities through VLOM in Nigeria – from pilot to national strategy

It is estimated that by 2030 only 72% of the rural population in Nigeria will have access to improved water supply. Alarmingly however are the high estimates (~50%) of nonfunctional rural hand pumps at any given time. Achieving the SDG targets will not only require huge investment in extending the improved water coverage to currently unserved but more importantly current investments in hand pump boreholes must be sustained. From the experience of the pilot project carried out by UNICEF and Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, 80% of the non-functional hand pumps were found to be repairable and state and local government service providers able to transform their O&M culture to ensure functionality at or above 90% at any given time. The challenge for Nigeria therefore lies in affecting a national VLOM strategy and to ensure its meticulous implementation

Promoting entrepreneurship and affordable financing for uptake of improved toilets in Nigeria

Meeting the SDG targets on Sanitation in Nigeria requires households to construct over 2.4 million improved toilets every year up to 2030, which is a 15-fold increase in the current rate of latrine uptake. Hence business as usual is not an option for the country in the run up to 2030. Markets forces must be mobilized. The two-pronged strategy deployed in Nigeria addresses the issue of markets as well as affordable finances. Toilet Business Owners (TBOs) are trained and mobilized as successful for-profit enterprises by the existing public-sector enterprise development agencies while cheaper financing is being mobilized from both Public and private/commercial sources through local MFIs and community saving groups. This approach has led to the construction of 4650 improved toilets in 06 Local Government Areas of Nigeria and holds promise for the future