9AWW: Professionalising rural water service delivery in Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya through WASH systems strengthening and partnerships – a key to sustainable services

The world has made considerable progress in expanding rural water supply services. In Malawi, access to improved water sources increased from 60% to 87.5% in rural areas (2000-2020). In Tanzania, a new national agency was set up in 2019 (RUWASA) to scale up and professionalise services delivered by community-based organisations. In Kenya, the regulator WASREB has come up with water service delivery models for rural areas. However, many community-managed water supply facilities still do not provide an adequate service, often under-performing over time. Within this context, a study commissioned by Malawi’s Ministry of Water and Sanitation recommended two professionalised management models: (i) Refining and strengthening Water Point Committee direct service provision with maintenance function delegation for hand pumps. (ii) Facilitating water boards to manage a greater proportion of rural piped water supply services. These two models are now being piloted. Similarly in Tanzania, new service delivery model guidelines are supporting strengthening and professionalising Community-Based Water Supply Organisations. In Kenya, SNV with financing from the European Delegation, implemented a 4-year project (2020-2024) to improve functionality of rural water systems through Public-Private-Community Partnerships in eight ASAL counties.