Resources
Reducing the burden of rural water supply through greywater reuse: a case study from northern Malawi
Greywater reuse has potential for non-potable applications that conserve freshwater resources in water-stressed areas especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The feasibility of reusing greywater for domestic activities in a rural area of Malawi, Africa, was evaluated from microbiological and public acceptance perspectives. Median Escherichia coli concentrations for eight domestic greywater sources (handwashing, laundry, runoff from a tap apron, bathing, cleaning a home/kitchen, cleaning a water collection container, washing plates and soaking vegetables) ranged from 100 to >20,000 colony forming units (cfu)/100 ml. Twenty-four of 47 greywater samples tested (51%) met the World Health Organization guideline for unrestricted use of greywater for irrigation. Pertinently, 80% (4/5)
and 60% (3/5) of greywater samples from handwashing stations and bathing had E. coli less than the WHO guideline. Users reported greatest acceptance of reusing greywater for growing food and washing clothes, especially when the greywater source was bathing. Acceptance was closely tied to a household’s economic standing, geographic location, and first-hand knowledge of reusing
greywater. Greywater reuse practices in rural areas, especially targeting bathing water as suitable from bacteriological and user perception criteria, can help mitigate the impacts of water stress in sub-Saharan Africa.
Does Rural Water System Design Matter? A Study of Productive Use of Water in Rural Nepal
In Nepal, rural water systems (RWS) are classified by practitioners as single-use domestic water systems (SUS) or multiple-use water systems (MUS). In the rural hills of Nepal, subsistence farming communities typically use RWS to support income-generating productive activities that can enhance rural livelihoods. However, there is limited research on the extent of existing productive activity and the factors enabling these activities. This paper examines the extent of water-related productive activities and the factors driving these activities based on a study, undertaken between October 2017 to June 2018, of 202 households served from five single-use domestic water systems and five multiple use water systems in the mid-hills of Nepal. The research found that a majority (94%) of these households engaged in two or more productive activities including growing vegetables and horticulture crops, raising livestock, and producing biogas and Rakshi (locally-produced alcohol), regardless of the system design, i.e., SUS vs. MUS. Around 90% of the households were engaged in productive activities that contributed to over 10% of their mean annual household income ($4,375). Since the SUS vs. MUS classification was not found to be a significant determinant of the extent of productive activity, the households were reclassified as having high or low levels of productive activity based on the quantity of water used for these activities and the associated earned income. A multinomial logistic regression model was developed to measure the relative significance of various predictors of high productive activity households. Five dominant predictors were identified: households that farm as a primary occupation, use productive technologies, are motivated to pursue productive activities, have received water-related productive activity training, and have received external support related to productive activities. Whereas MUS are designed for productive activity, nearly every household in SUS communities was involved in productive activities making them ‘de-facto’ MUS. These results challenge the current approach to rural water provision that views SUS and MUS as functionally different services
Water use policy guidelines for productive subsistence activities in the Andean rural area
In Colombia, Dr. Silvia Milena finalized her Ph.D. thesis, “Lineamientos de política de uso de agua para las actividades productivas de subsistencia en la zona rural andina”, directed by Inés Restrepo Tarquino, Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia). This research has encouraged the Ministry of Housing, City and Territory of Colombia to be the first in the world to revise its design criteria for rural water supply to enable multiple uses. This is a major step in a setting where rural development is the top priority in the Peace Agreement.
A General Micro-Level Modeling Approach to Analyzing Interconnected SDGs: Achieving SDG 6 and More through Multiple-UseWater Services (MUS)
The 2030 agenda presents an integrated set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets that will shape development activities for the coming decade. The challenge now facing development organizations and governments is how to operationalize this interconnected set of goals and targets through effective projects and programs. This paper presents a micro-level modeling
approach that can quantitatively assess the impacts associated with rural water interventions that are tailored to specific communities. The analysis focuses on how a multiple-use water services (MUS) approach to SDG 6 could reinforce a wide range of other SDGs and targets. The multilevel modeling framework provides a generalizable template that can be used in multiple sectors. In this paper, we apply the methodology to a dataset on rural water services from Mozambique to show that community-specific equivalents of macro-level variables used in the literature such as Cost of Illness (COI) avoided can provide a better indication of the impacts of a specific intervention. The proposed modeling framework presents a new frontier for designing projects in any sector that address the specific needs of communities, while also leveraging the knowledge gained from previous projects in any country. The approach also presents a way for agencies and organizations to design projects or programs that bridge sectors/disciplines (water, irrigation, health, energy, economic development, etc.) to advance an interconnected set of SDGs and targets.
Multiple uses of small reservoirs in crop-livestock agro-ecosystems of the Volta River Basin with an emphasis on livestock management
Small reservoirs are structures that capture and store runoff at catchment level. The surface area of majority of these reservoirs ranges from 3 to 30 ha. In Burkina Faso, a small reservoir is defined by the height of the dam, which should be below 10 m. They have multiple uses: irrigation during dry spells, fishing, livestock watering, domestic use and groundwater recharge through increased infiltration. Although one of the major uses of small reservoirs in the Volta River Basin is for livestock watering, there is limited information, if any, on how livestock management practices affect this use. This study was conducted in communities using five small reservoirs (Bagyalgo, Soumyalga, Goinre, Ninighi and Thiou) in Yatenga Province of Burkina Faso in the Volta River Basin. The aim of the study was to document the multiple uses of small reservoirs in the study sites with an emphasis on access to, and use by, livestock, and conflicts that arise over the use of these reservoirs. Specifically, the objectives of this study are to: (i) document the multiple uses of small reservoirs with a focus on how livestock management practices affect this use; and (ii) identify the proximate and long-term causes of livestock-related conflicts with regard to multiple uses of small reservoirs and strategies to manage them. The results of this study have confirmed the commonly reported trend of the increasing use of the small reservoirs for vegetable production, even though most of the small reservoirs were initially constructed for livestock watering. The competition for use of these small reservoirs for vegetable production and livestock watering is the main challenge to the management of these reservoirs in the study sites. Adult males and boys accounted for at least 60% of the users of small reservoirs in this study. Livestock watering was carried out mainly by adult males and boys, whereas the use of small reservoirs for domestic purposes was dominated by adult females and girls. In addition to the provision of water for livestock, small reservoirs also contributed to supplying feed resources for livestock by providing green forage in the dry season, which accounted for at least 5% of the total dry matter feed. None of the five small reservoirs in the study were used for fodder production. Increased competition over the use of small reservoirs, damage caused by livestock to irrigated crops and vegetables, and an increased number of livestock using the small reservoirs were ranked as the most important causes of conflict. However, most cases of conflict over the use of the small reservoirs were resolved at the community level. Peaceful coexistence in the use of the small reservoirs for vegetable production and livestock watering is essential for reducing the incidence of conflict, and this will require engagement of key stakeholders such as vegetable growers’ associations and livestock keepers’ associations.
Multiple-Use Water Services Toward a Nutrition-Sensitive Approach
With emerging evidence suggesting that stunting cannot be addressed without also focusing on WASH, the SPRING (Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally) project wanted to better understand current WASH and water strategies that sought to bridge agriculture and health to reduce undernutrition at the community, farm, and household level. A key element of that review focused on MUS. Through document reviews and interviews with six key organizations implementing MUS, SPRING found several promising practices currently being assessed and undertaken by the surveyed organizations. SPRING believes MUS has the potential to contribute nutrition outcomes, as it provides two necessary components:
- Opportunity for water to improve health through the provision of safe drinking water; and,
- Availability of water for agricultural purposes, resulting in increased food production and agricultural income.
In addition, many MUS systems are community-managed, and can provide opportunities for community organization and women’s empowerment, an essential step toward improved nutrition.
SPRING also identified several areas that could be improved or expanded to make the MUS approach more nutrition-sensitive. It is clear that the potential impact of MUS on nutrition is recognized across most MUS activities, and each activity that SPRING features in this report did plan and program additional nutrition-sensitive or nutrition-specific interventions to support such outcomes. However, measurement was often inadequate to be able to determine the contribution that MUS made to these metrics. In order to take full advantage of MUS towards improving nutrition outcomes, additional nutrition-related programming and a commitment to measurement is necessary
Multiple Use Services (MUS) of Water in WaterAid West Africa; Understanding the practices, exploring the opportunities
This document explores examples where WaterAid-supported services have been designed to accommodate multiple uses. It provides background on why people use water for multiple purposes, the technologies used, techniques that address sustainability concerns and opportunities for scaling up MUS in WaterAid supported programmes.
MUS roundtable workshop proceedings
This report documents the MUS Roundtable Workshop Held at Bellagio Conference Center, Italy, September 3-7, 2012. This report is not a final synthesis, but tries to capture the workshop output in a non-interpreted way. THIS DOCUMENTATION IS MEANT TO BE A REFERENCE DOCUMENT for all participants and is intended to provide details of what transpired. Almost all results of the working groups and plenary sessions are documented.
Scaling Pathways for Multiple-Use Services, for Food Security and Health
The Multiple use water services (MUS) Group, together with some of its members and partners (IRC, IWMI, Winrock International, RiPPLE, CINARA, World Vision, USAID, Virginia Tech University and Rockefeller Foundation) convened a session at the Stockholm World Water Week on ‘Scaling Pathways for Multiple-Use Services, for Food Security and Health’ with the aim of identifying scaling pathways for MUS to reach the tipping point. ICID president Zao Ghanyi was the chair.
Reports of 4 MUS sessions at the World Water Forum 2009 in Istanbul
There is a report of the session on water multi-tasking: how to obtain more benefits per drop from multiple uses and functions, beingsession 2.4.1 of the 5th World Water Forum (WWF).
A report on bridging sectors to strengthen multiple uses and functions of water services being session 2.4.2 of the 5th World Water Forum (WWF).
A report on multiple-use services for more MDGs per drop; how to make it happen?, being session 2.4.3 of the 5th World Water Forum (WWF).
A report on multiple use and functions of water services being topic 2.4 of the 5th World Water Forum (WWF).
Community-level multiple-use water services: MUS to climb the water ladder
The Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) project PN28 developed and tested ‘multiple-use water services’ (‘MUS’). This approach to water services takes multiple water needs of rural and periurban communities as the starting point for planning and designing new systems or rehabilitations. By overcoming the administrative boundaries between single-use sectors, MUS contributes more sustainably to more dimensions of well-being than single-use approaches: health, freedom from drudgery, food, and income. The action-research took place in 25 study areas in eight countries in five basins. The project brought global, national, intermediate level, and local partners together who were champions of MUS at the time. At the community level, the project identified generic models for implementing MUS. This was done through pilotimplementation of innovative multiple-use water services, and by analyzing de facto multiple uses of singleuse planned systems. At the intermediate, national, and global level, the project’s ‘learning alliances’ engaged in the wide upscaling of these community-level MUS models, with the aim of establishing an enabling environment to provide every rural and periurban water user with water for multiple uses. This paper presents some of the project findings.
International symposium on multiple-use water services - proceedings
This file contains the complete set of pre-prints with the proceedings of the symposium. Note that this is the final draft. Some of the papers may still contain errors and omissions. Besides, not all papers could be included in time. A finalised version will be published after the symposium, after authors have had the chance to submit any changes, and we have included papers that came in late.
Mexico: WWF 2006 MUS session report
Session on MUS at the World Water Forum 2006 in Mexico. The session was held on the theme of Water, Food, and Environment
Cross-cutting perspectives: Water for Growth and Development, New models for financing local water initiatives, Capacity building and social learning, Application of science, technology and knowledge.
Towards Multiple Use Water Services - Background paper
This short paper is intended to serve as an introduction to the forthcoming e-conference in terms of concepts, content, and structure. The ideas presented very briefly here are developed in greater detail in a number of publications that are listed seperately under "Suggested reading".
Video on international workshop on MUS systems for climate resilience
A video of the international workshop with presentation highlights.
Presentation on Towards More Resilient Basic Services– iDE’s Experience with Testing the Tool on MUS
Presentation by Raj Kumar on Towards More Resilient Basic Services– iDE’s Experience with Testing the Tool on MUS.
Presentation on South Africa: MUS pilot projects Sekhukhune and Vhembe district, Limpopo province
Presentation by Kenny Phasa and Barbara van Koppen on South Africa: MUS pilot projects Sekhukhune and Vhembe district, Limpopo province
Presentation on Importance of Linking MUS with Agricultural Development: The Nepal Experience
Presentation by Luke Colavito on Importance of Linking MUS with Agricultural Development: The Nepal Experience.
Presentation on Multiple Water Use Systems (MUS): iDE’s Approach to Design, Development, and Impact
Presentation by Raj Kumar on Multiple Water Use Systems (MUS): iDE’s Approach to Design, Development, and Impact.
Presentation on Institutionalization and upscaling the MUS approach in western Nepal?
Presentation by Sanna-Leena Rautanen on Institutionalization and upscaling the MUS approach in western Nepal
Presentation on MUS approach framework: Scaling up of MUS in Nepal
Presentation by Prachanda Pradhan on MUS approach framework: Scaling up of MUS in Nepal.
Presentation on Community Empowerment through Rainwater Harvesting Design
Presentation by S. Quarta, J. Merino and C. Borgia on Community Empowerment through Rainwater Harvesting Design: A participatory experience in the Ecuadorian central highlands.
Presentation on Strengthening user committees and generating income opportunity for sustainability of the MUS at rural level
Presentation by Indra Raj Badu on Strengthening user committees and generating income opportunity for sustainability of the MUS at rural level.
Presentation on Observed Changes in MUS: A Revisit to the Schemes
Presentation by Dhruba Pant on Observed Changes in MUS: A Revisit to the Schemes.
Presentation on Learning from best practices and approaches of community management of MUS Systems
Presentation by Usha Jha on Learning from best practices and approaches of community management of MUS Systems.