Posts byFelix Knipschild

Felix graduated in 2016 from Delft University of Technology and has been A) compiling and analysing Water Point Data use cases to improve drinking water services, WADA/IRC, B) advising on accelerating national and subnational WASH monitoring for improved asset management and service delivery (WCARO), IRC/UNICEF, and C) analysing information systems and monitoring & evaluation of small towns in Ethiopia (OneWASH Plus), IRC/UNICEF

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Local water point monitoring: actionable guidance

This blog is based on the fact sheet on Actionable Guidance for Local Governments: Harnessing Water Point Data for Improved Water Services

Local governments use water point data to determine the status of water services, make district investment plans, support communities, and advocate for district programs. They are a tool for guiding and coordinating partners working in an area and acquiring the financing required for sustainable water services. Local governments may work with partners to overcome barriers such as inadequate human resources and logistics for data collection and analysis.

Previously, we wrote blogs about universal lessons for improving water point monitoring and guidance for national governments. This blog highlights the most important lessons for local governments. The recommendations for local government apply equally to other service authorities involved in planning, coordination, regulation, and oversight of water services and technical assistance to water service providers and communities.

Recommendation 1: Require the use of national and district standards to monitor results

Require NGOs and the private sector to collect water point data meeting national standards, to monitor results, and to share their data with the district and other stakeholders. They should have to explain the results of their water point monitoring during coordination meetings. Provide feedback to the national government when there are challenges using data.

1. Require the use of national standards, monitoring, and sharing of data

Recommendation 2: Use water point data to tell the story of water services

Use water point data to tell the story of water services to politicians, financiers, and users to sustain interest in achieving universal access to basic water services. Evidence-based investment plans using water point data can facilitate dialogue between water engineers, planners, and politicians on how to improve services.

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Water point data are improving services

Routine monitoring of water points is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 6.1.

This blog post has originally been posted on ircwash.org. 

Recent research by WASHNote and IRC Uganda shows how data about water points are being used to improve drinking water services. The research provides actionable guidance for national and local governments, NGOs, and donors on how to make the best use of water point data.

From water points to improving services

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by 2030 requires accelerating progress and investment dramatically and a shift to providing services instead of infrastructure. National policy targets and the SDGs are not going to be met at the current rate of investment and failure of existing infrastructure due to a lack of service monitoring using water point data.

Evidence on the actual state of basic and safely managed services, including the location of water sources and water supply and their other attributes, will be pivotal for accelerating progress and ultimately achieving SDG 6.1. It is crucial for decision-makers to understand this role of water point data.

Local governments require more information than functionality alone to assess water service levels

How data are improving services

Water point data are typically collected by community or geographical area and sometimes with a name, identifiers and/or GPS coordinates. Collecting these data is relatively expensive when it is not included in routine operations. Many inventories are undertaken only once without a plan for routine updates.

National governments have used water point data to develop national policy targets and inform joint sector reviews. Local governments have used water point data to assess services, plan corrective actions, for example identifying hand pumps for rehabilitation, training water committees, and lobbying for funding. Today, it is possible for international and local stakeholders to find each other, work together and advocate for improving services.

Universal lessons

While there is great potential, some challenges hamper the widespread use of water point data, for instance, the focus on one-off data collection, diverse approaches to collection and analysis, and the extent to which data are – or are not – being shared publicly. However, there are a number of universal lessons that everyone should take on board. This will enable us to make better use of water point data.

1. Use unique identifiers, rich descriptions, and photos to ensure water point records are unambiguous and can be tracked over time. It should be possible to update a water point based on a phone call with a vendor or caretaker.

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