Optimizing Rainwater Harvesting Installation in Kashongi, Uganda

Abstract

Community-based water supply systems like Institutional Rainwater Harvesting (IRWH) are promising solutions to water supply in rural areas like Uganda. However, IRWH tank systems have been unsustainable in the long-term due to collective action failure, causing agencies to switch to less cost-effective systems. Current literature shows that local institutions are significant predictors of success in managing community-based resources, but little research has been done in the area of rural potable water supply. This study uses empirical research to investigate IRWH system sustainability, and its association with local institutions. Focus groups, interviews and surveys were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data in Kashongi sub-county, Uganda. The results show that villages in Kashongi sub-county have the potential to be self-reliant in sustaining their IRWH tank system. Institutions are associated with tank sustainability through two ways: financial sustainability and tank functionality. Least-squares regressions identified several key predictors of both financial sustainability and tank functionality. The study concludes that institutions are significant predictors of IRWH tank sustainability at multiple levels. Agencies implementing community-based water supply systems should either seek to foster suitable institutional arrangements within villages, or identify villages with characteristics of strong institutions in order to maximize their investment.