WASH SITUATION IN SMALL TOWNS IN CRWB WATER-AREA

CONSULTANCY REPORTAlma ConsultancyP.O. Box 876, Mzuzu

August 2012

WASH SITUATION IN SMALL TOWNS IN CRWB Water-AREA

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Small towns in Malawi exhibit both rural and urban characteristics. Rural characteristics relate to the economic linkages to agriculture. Urban characteristics may relate to the role of light industry in the economy but are more often linked to living conditions as a function of density, and changing social systems as a reflection of increased diversity. This blend of urban and rural characteristics has implications on the type of development approaches to be employed in order to address service delivery challenges in these small towns. Typical rural approaches such as community participation and mobilisation become more difficult to manage as communities get larger and more diverse. On the other hand, small towns lack the resources of cities, making the application of urban approaches, where economies of scale or cross-subsidisation exist between users or between services, more difficult.

Most small towns tend to be diverse, dynamic and constantly evolving. They largely act as agricultural market and food processing centres and as centres of employment in small and medium-sized non-agricultural businesses. They normally attract people from rural areas and this expansion often accelerates when social services such as water, schools and health centres are provided. Generally characterised by rapid unplanned growth leading to concentrations of low income populations, people living in small towns are amongst the worst served for basic services such as access to water and sanitation which has an impact on hygiene standards and overall health status.

Investments in small towns have simply not kept pace with the growing need for services. The predicted growth of small towns is a major development challenge which threatens to derail efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water and sanitation. Given the difficulty of tailoring approaches to individual contexts, in those countries where small towns receive assistance from central governments and donors, there tends to be a one size fits all financing, technological, management and capacity building package.

Despite the challenges of tailoring approaches to meet each small towns requirements, there is a real need to get small towns onto the right track before unregulated growth, weak capacity and unhelpful policies allow these burgeoning towns to become sprawling, un-served and unmanageable urban areas. This is within Water-Aid Global aim of promoting and securing poor peoples rights and access through direct provision of adequate sanitation and hygiene services and of safe drinking water services by 2015 (Water Aid, 2010: 6). Water Aid undertakes this through partnerships and attempts to influence policy and service providers for better delivery both in urban and rural areas considering that improved sanitation has wider benefits like improved health, nutrition, higher school attendance among others (Water Aid, 2011:5-6). It is in this light that Water Aid, sought an understanding of the situation of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to inform decision making with regard to efforts and resources investment in improving access to (and use of) sustainable and equitable water and sanitation services in small towns in three supply zones of Central Region Water Board of Salima, Mponela and Kasungu.

This report presents findings of the situation analysis based on field visits to the small towns, document review and discussions with various stakeholders.

2.0 THE FINDINGS

2.1 CONTEXT (All)This section gives the context of the small town/market centre with details on population size and growth rate, assessment of economy of the target small towns.

2.1.2 Population of the Centres

As shown in the table below, the centres vary in their population size which reflects their economic levels and land area coverage. Kasungu is the largest (Kasungu population grew from 27754 in 1998 to 39694 in 2008 at a growth rate of 3.6% ) followed by Salima. These centres have previously benefited from Government urban infrastructure investments through the SCDP which targeted townships with management set ups in form of elected councils. Kasungu was in 2009 elevated from township status to municipal status. Third largest centre is Nkhotakota, like Ntchisi and Dowa is a district centre. What is worth noting is that all the centres have high growth rates of above 3% pa. This suggest that demand for services like water and sanitation facilities will continue to increase. The economy of these centres is influenced by the agriculture activities within their rural hinterland. Kasungu, Mchinji, Mponela are located within tobacco growing area, while Dwangwa is sugar industry. Nkhota-kota and Salima are headquarters of their districts and located along the main roads. Dowa district economy depends primarily on agriculture with Tobacco as the main cash crop.. Accomplishment of Ntchisi Road has greatly influenced economic activities taking place at the district centre. With good road infrastructure it is easy to link Ntchisi and Mponela and the rest of the country. This in turn has influenced accelerated population growth rate. According to 2008 population cencus the growth rate was 3.1%. However, the current growth rate is far much higher than the rate established in 2008. In like manner Dowa District centre is most likely to be affected by the completion of the road from M1.

It can be mentioned that there is disparity between the reported NSO population of the centers and supply area population used by CRWB as shown in tables 1 and 3.

Table 1: Population of Centres

Centre 2008199819871987-2008 (%)

Kasungu 42,35127,75410,84812.6

Mchinji 17,881114734,54214.

Kamwendo7,4393620--

Kochilira880---

Salima 27,85220,35510,6087.7

Nkhotakota24,72619,26212,1494.9

Dwangwa 11,377---

Chipoka 4,3143,986--

Mponela15,3999,8465,6098.3

Dowa7,4084,4932,7048.3

Madise 6,884---

Ntchisi7,918 57733.0607.6%

2.2 POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK(All)

This sections outlines the policy and legal provisions for the provision, management and regulation of WASH services in the target small towns. The policy and regulatory framework for WASH include the following:

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)The MGD 7 target 10 which aims to reduce by 50% the proportion of people without access to safe water and sanitation provides the framework for any progress on WASH in Malawi. Based on progress reports the country is making commendable progress to the extent some claim the target on water can be met by 2015 even though functionality rate of water points is very low. Noteworthy is that sanitation lags behind water due to among other reasons, low prioritization and focus on curative health detracts attention from preventive role of sanitation (Water Aid, 2011:7).

Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS)

The MGDS is the national overarching strategy for implementing government policy to which all major developers are required to align project implementation. Under theme one (sustainable economic growth sub-theme one), the MGDS recognizes the contribution of sustainable use of natural resources such as forestry to economic growth. Under priority 5 sub theme

With regard to Sanitation, MGDS states: Sanitation and good hygiene practices contribute to the reduction of water borne and other related diseases. A clean and healthy environment is not only essential, but also a prerequisite for a healthy and productive society. Compared to many other sub-Saharan countries, Malawi has made tremendous progress in achieving universal access to basic sanitation. Overall access to improved latrine is estimated at 46 percent; with 43 percent in rural areas and 65 percent in urban areas. During the implementation of MGDS, the country made progress in the area of sanitation and hygiene. These include improved access to potable water from 73 percent in 2005 to 84 percent in 2009 and improved access to basic sanitation from 84 percent in 2005 to 93 percent in 2009 (WMS, 2009). Malawi still faces a number of challenges in the area of sanitation and hygiene. These include relatively low access to improved sanitation, low access to running water, inadequate sewer facilities, unsystematic disposal of liquid, solid and other forms of waste, inadequate capacity to manage sewer facilities and inability to separate organic and inorganic components of waste to facilitate composting. Considering the above challenges and the role sanitation plays to improve the health of the population, Government through this strategy will pursue the following goal, outcomes and strategies. Goal The goal is to ensure use of improved sanitation facilities and adoption of safe hygiene practices. Medium-Term Expected Outcome In the medium term, it is expected that there will be: Improved hygiene practices; Increased access and usage of improved sanitation facilities; and Improved management and disposal of waste.

Key Strategies The key strategies include: Promoting utilization of improved sanitation facilities; Providing improved sanitation facilities in schools, health care centres, community based child care centres, markets and all other public places; Promoting adoption of safe hygiene practices; Improving management and disposal of both liquid and solid waste; Enhancing information, education and communication on sanitation and hygiene; Promoting research waste management; Promoting private sector participation in the provision of sanitation and hygiene services; Enhancing institutional capacity; and Strengthening regulatory framework

a) National Water Policy(2005)The overall policy goal is to achieve sustainable, commercially viable provision of water supply and sanitation services that are equitably accessible to and used by individuals and entrepreneurs in urban, peri urban and market centers for socio-economic development at affordable cost (page4)The National Water Policy as reflected in its title is meant to address all aspects of water including resource management, development and service delivery. The policy has articulated a new water sector vision of Water and Sanitation for all, always. The new vision embraces and reflects the Governments overall development objectives of poverty reduction and economic prosperity, and at the same time aims at conforming to the regional and global trends and the requirements as reflected under the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development targets of 2015.

The policy comprehensively covers areas of water source management and development, water quality and pollution control, water utilization, disaster management and institutional roles and linkages. The policy amongst other issues, aims at :- Achieving sustainable and integrated water resources management and development that make water readily available and equitably accessible by all Malawians in pursuit of their socio-economic development and for environmental sustainance. To ensure water of acceptable quality for all the needs in Malawi. Achieving sustainable provision of water supply and sanitation services that are equitably accessible and used by individuals and entrepreneurs for socio-economic development at affordable cost. Promoting efficient and effective utilization, conservation and protection of water resources for sustainable agriculture and irrigation, fisheries, navigation, ecotourism, forestry, hydropower and disaster management and environmental protection. Undertaking the rehabilitation, upgrading, extension and construction of water infrastructure. Promoting international cooperation in the management of trans-boundary and cross-boundary waters without compromising the countrys sovernity, security and territorial integrity. Dealing with challenges facing water resources management which include the need to adopt Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Principles, the need to conform to current regional and international agreements and protocols on shared water resources, catchment protection and management, and water resources monitoring. Promoting the participation of the private sector in water resources development, management and service delivery. Strengthening and building capacity in water sector and;- Clarifying the roles of the Ministry for Water Affairs and other other stakeholders

National Sanitation Policy The policy was approved in 2009 and clarifies roles of institutions in sanitation services delivery. The Water policy approved in ....The aim of National sanitation Policy is to provide a framework for development of programes and initiatives that shall address sanitation and hygiene challenges as cited in this policy These programmes will contribute to improving the health and quality of human life, a better environment and a new way for sustainable wealth creation.

The policy provides guidelines for the development of an Investment Strategy that will be supported by the development partners under a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) for sanitation. It is envisaged that this approach will a significant contribution to the development of the country by committing funds to a national single effort that will address the current poor sanitation and hygiene in Malawi.

Linkages with other relevant policies and programmes

The Goverment has developed several policies, pieces of regislation and regulations related to sanitation and hygiene.

The Constitution of Malawi revised in 1995, enshrines responsible management of the environment to provide a healthy living and working environment for all the people in Malawi. Vision 2020 which was developed in 1996, provides the long-term development perspective for improving sanitation and hygiene services in the country. Malawi Growth and Development Strategy, which was developed in 2006, among other things seeks to increase access to clean water and sanitation, improve the nutritional status of children and ensure food security. The National Water Policy developed in 2005, endeavours to ensure availability of efficient and effective water and sanitation services that satisfy the basic requirements for every Malawian and the enhancement of the countrys natural ecosystems. The National Environmental Policy, adopted in 2004, outlines the need for pollution control and the proper disposal of waste water, solid wastes and the protection of water bodies, with the general principle of The polluter pays. The public Heath Act. The Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Act as well as a number of guidelines covering the safe disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste at health facilities. The Local Government Act and the Decentralization Policy, which promotea) Accountability and good governance at the local level in order to help government reduce poverty andb) Mobilizing the masses for socio-economic development. Bylaws set by the City, Municipal, Town and District Councils in so far as they impact on sanitation. The National Physical Development Plan which refers to the urban planning and controls unregulated development. The Social Disability Policy which emphasises the need for access to sanitary facilities for the physically challenged persons. The Nation HIV and AIDS Policy and Response Strategy (2005) which facilitates high level commitment, strong multi-sectoral collaboration and sustained action against the challenge. The Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act of 1997 that among other things, promotes provision of potable water, adequate improved sanitary facilities, drainage systems and sound management of wastes at workplaces whatever appropriate. The National Irrigation Policy and Development Strategy of 2000 which among other things advocates addressing specific addressing specific problems that women face in irrigated agriculture in order to achieve greater participation of women in small scale irrigation sector. The policy has linkages with the National Water Development Programme, Housing Programmes in urban and semi-urban, town and market centres, and all other programs recognised in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.Institutional ChallengesThe policy advocates that the various stakeholders play their roles and responsibilities in implementing it. However, this might not be guaranteed because various institutions have different mandates and implementation of the various activities is determined b priorities set in their respective planning budgets approved by Parliament

Legal and Policy Framework

The policy came to force after several sectoral policies and pieces of legislation have been operational in the country. Most of the existing policies and acts are outdated and due for review. The delay in reviewing and approving these policies and legal instruments may cause some challenges in the implementation of the National Sanitation Policy.

Water Works Act (1995)The Water Works Act No. 17 of 1995 which replaced the 1969 law is legal instrument for regulation of WASH. The law establishes five water boards (Blantyre, Lilongwe, Northern, central, southern) and empowers the boards under section 1(3) to levy and enforce payment of rates and to engage in research or investigation in connection with water supplies and water-borne sewerage sanitation. Under section 6; the boards have power of control and administration of, except for rural water supply areas, all waterworks and all the water in such waterworks and the management of the supply and distribution of such water. This provision implies that while rural water supply is the responsibility of government, urban supply falls in the purview of the boards. However, upon ministerial approval the boards can by contract extend supply outside their water-areas (section 18) worthy to note is that by section 19, such supply must be sufficient for the domestic purposes of the inhabitants within the water-area. Regarding sanitation the boards are required to install and operate waterborne sewerage sanitation schemes within the water-area.(section 20) and may do so any land tenure type (section, 26)

Town and Country Planning Act (1988)The Act provides for planned development and growth of urban centres. However, due to weaknesses in the development control process, failure to implement existing layout plans and lack of awareness, informal settlements dominate the small towns. informality is a major contributory factor to challenges of access to safe water and sanitation. A new bill to improve the situation has not been debated by the national assembly for nearly 10 years. A review of planning standards and guidelines has been completed and it is hoped this can promote access to safe water and sanitation.

Housing Policy

National Land Policy: Land Policy consists of a whole complex of socio-economic and legal prescriptions that include the system of land tenure, and influence how land resources and the benefits from the land are to be distributed. Therefore, national land management should entail decision-making and the implementation of decisions about land.

National Decentralisation Policy & Local Government Act

The policy:-

(a) devolves administration and political authority to the district level;

(b) integrates governmental agencies at the district and local levels into one administrative unit, through the process of institutional integration, absorption, composite budgeting and provision of funds for the decentralised services;

(c) diverts the centre of implementation responsibilities and transfers these to the districts;

(d) assigns, functions and responsibilities to the various levels of government; and

(e) promotes popular participation in the governance and development of districts.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

The Decentralisation Policy seeks to achieve the following objectives:

(a) to create a democratic environment and institutions in Malawi for governance and development; at the local level which will facilitate the participation of the grass roots in decision making:

(b)to eliminate dual administrations (field administration and local government) at the district level with the aim of making public service more efficient, more economical and cost effective;

(c) to promote accountability and good governance at the local level in order to help Government reduce poverty; and

(d) to mobilise the masses for socio-economic development at the local level.

Public Health Act

District Development Plans in which the small towns are located

The plans outline projects and initiatives which the councils would like to implement within the planning period either with the help of Government, NGOs, CBOs other bilateral and multilateral partners etc.

SOER & District Water Atlases (status reports on water supply)Etc

These indicate the position of all water points within the area under consideration, type of water facilities and the status of each water facility including the implementer organizations

Environmental Management ActEnvironmental Act which is An Act to make provision for the protection and management of the environment and the conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.The extent to which these policy and regulatory frameworks realize WASH goals remains contentious with different levels of success claimed. For example, UNICEF/WHO (2012: 12;23) suggest government has made significant progress between 1995 and 2010 with over 22.8% (3.4 million people) gaining access to improved sanitation and 48.4% gaining access to safe water leading a supply coverage of 83%. Other authorities, especially NGOs argue that claims of success do not consider functionality rate of facilities which reduced coverage significantly (Water Aid, 2010 ). Definitions of concepts like improved, safe and adequate also lack consensus hence variations on reported figures (Manda, 2009). In particular, major urban centers reveal a serious unmet demand of WASH. The situation is more glaring in the small towns which due to lack of management set up as exists for cities remain untargeted in any sanitation and hygiene policy, funding and projects.

2.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN WASH GOVERNANCE

This section outlines the roles played by the various organizations and institutions with regard to WASH in the selected small towns and what is their capacity to delivery on them.

2.3.1 Who are the Actors

Government: The Government of Malawi (GoM) is the policy holder for both water supply and hygiene. The Ministry developed a National 10 Year Sanitation and Hygiene Investment Plan and Strategy (NYSHIPS ) for the irrigation, water and sanitation sector that will enable GoM to attain its vision of ensuring Sanitation for All in Malawi and its Mission of ensuring that all people in Malawi own and have access to Improved Sanitation facilities, practice safe hygiene, re-use and/or recycling of waste. The Ministry is also directly responsible for rural water supply delivery and in this regard controls all rural water supply schemes such as Mchinji, Nkhamenya. Government sources funds from various development partners to support CRWB to supply adequate water in the small towns.

CRWB: CRWB has been mandated to supply portable water in urban centers in an monopolistic business environment. CRWB is a commercial entity and their transaction are solely on cost recovery with small profit margin. With this in mind, all partnership should be on a business front and can only be through the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development. The Boards provide low tariffs to low income areas as corporate social responsibility With the pending sanitation act the water boards are likely to extend their services to sanitation and hygiene intervention which is currently a function of the town or district councils[footnoteRef:2] [2: Discussion with Mr Gondwe, Director of Water Supply Services, MoIWD date???]

CRWB has been mandated to supply portable water in the areas of concern in an monopolistic business environment. According to the Director of water supply services the water board is a commercial entity and their transactions are solely on full cost recovery with small profit margin. With this in mind, all partnership should be on a business front and can only be through the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development. The Boards provide low tariffs to low income areas as corporate social responsibility and Malawi Government has already sourced grants from various development partners to support the water boards to outreach these areas.It is reported that all market centres like Nkhamenya in Kasungu etc are directly under the responsibility of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development. The Waterboards are only used to build their capacity on technical expertise. Water users Association model of managing community water supply is a component of District/town Council at the current setup. With the pending sanitation act the water boards are likely to extend their services to sanitation and hygiene intervention. However, at the moment, the town or district councils are mandated to support the community on sanitation and hygiene.

Local Governments: These have mandate through the Local Government Act and Decentralisation Policy. In this regard the council prepared District Strategic and Investment Plans (DSIP) to have focused implementation of WASH projects, but the DSIP specifically are for rural WASH programmes. The local governments implement these WASH projects through the district executive committee (DEC) as decision making body that oversee district coordinating team (DCTs) for WASH in which the officers responsible for WASH, Water, Environmental Health and Planning officers are focal points. THE CTs meet quarterly to evaluate annual plans However, such operations and the DSIPs leave out small towns within the districts. Furthermore, power struggles between the centre and local councils coupled with lack of political will to conduct local elections create serious capacity challenges leading council staff to lack independence and instead attempting to win the favour of any development partner with little progress.

NGO/Civil Society: There several international and national nongovernmental organisations engaged in the WASH sector. Some NGO are affiliated to religious institutions operating in Malawi or outside. Generally, these tend to form tripartite arrangements for project implementation involving an international NGO that sources funding from a donor or parent NGO based outside Malawi, a local national NGO and a local government. While some are in direct implementation, others fund capacity building or identify facilitators for the target sectors. Among the major NGO are: World Vision, Concern Universal, Plan International, Action Aid, Malawi Red Cross, Pump-Aid, NICE, Livingstonia Synod, Nkhoma Synod, PSI among others. Observations indicate that though these NGOs are based at urban centres but undertake activities in the rural areas.

Communities: Communities are actors both as project beneficiaries, users and through committees as manager of WASH facilities. Water committees, Water User Associations and private Operators groupings are seen to operate in various small towns visited with varying degrees of success.

Donors- donors is used here broadly to includes bilateral governments and international financial institutions. In this regard the major donor in the WASH sector are: Currently, important donors include UNICEF, AfDB, World Bank, JICA, DFID, AusAid, EIB/ EU, Clinton-Hunder Foundation, JICA, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: funding to slum upgrading, DfiD (UK Aid) and UN Habitat support national or local government in both rural and urban water supply and sanitation programmes. International NGOs supporting the sector include World Vision, Concern Universal, Plan International, Engineers Without Borders, Water for People, Pump Aid and Emanuel International. It is intended that the NWDP II will be used as a precursor to a full Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). It is expected that there can be collaboration through NWDP II. Large-scale urban water supply in Lilongwe and Blantyre, the two major cities in Malawi, is the responsibility of city-specific Water Boards. Sewerage is currently the responsibility of City Councils although the Water Policy and the Water Act (1995) transfer this responsibility to the Water Boards. On-site sanitation and solid waste management also come under the Councils. Currently, there are plans to create public asset companies and bring in management contracts for these boards. For smaller cities, towns and market centres, there are three Regional Water Boards, namely the Central, Northern and Southern Region Water Boards. As part of urban reforms, the Government announced in May 2010 the proposed merger of Lilongwe Water Board with the Central Region Water Board to form a new Central Region Water Board, and Blantyre Water Board with Southern Region Water Board to form a new Southern Region Water Board. Implications for WaterAid include the need to re-establish a new partnership with the new the New Central Region Water Board for the implementation of urban work which usually takes time, especially with changes of management staff. However, with Water-Aids plan to start work in small towns in the central region, it would mean dealing with a single entity for both urban and small towns.

2.3.3 WASH Governance

At each centres (and within each district), there is a well established framework for WASH governance which follow the decentralization framework. The DEC is responsible for decision making at district level. Several working committees are established by sector. A WASH working committee is among those in existence at each District/municipal council. The WASH working committee comprises staff from council secretariat represented by the director of planning, water officer, environmental officer, Environmental Health officer (WASH officer) from the Health Ministry stationed at the hospital and other staff members. The working committee relies on data collected by the Health Surveillance Assistants (H.S.A) and water quality analysis results from CRWB or Water Quality Central Laboratory or the district water office to make decisions on WASH. With such an arrangement WASH governance appears well catered for. However, community representatives are not members of the working committees.

Actual operations of water supply governance varies by centres /scheme especially with regard to management of communal water points/kiosks. In general CRWB appear to advocate private operators to manage communal water points. The decision was reached when the board found that communities were unable to settle water bills because water committee leaders misappropriated revenue collected from the community which led to disconnections. Within Mponela Zone the bills that led to Kiosk disconnection ranged from 15,000 in Dowa to K40,000 in Ntchisi and K20,000 in Mponela. Private operators therefore run the kiosks as a business and ensure continued supply. It should be noted that for this reason, the price of water varies significantly between and within the schemes. These differences are outlined below:

Kasungu: There is a serious concern on water shortages at Kasungu town but some stakeholders such as the district commissioner are not aware why the situation was like that. This showed lack of consultation despite there existing an existing structure involving a district WASH officer at the hospital and a district Water Officer.

Observations and FGDs also revealed that price of water varies significantly within Kasungu Town. For example, a private operator running a tap at the market charged water at K40/pail while other operators charge water at K15/pail. Though locality and use type appear to be a major factor, the price differential is quite large. It is unsurprising that at Kasungu a market, one unsafe shallow well next to a public toilet soak-away pit supports the operations of restaurants/chips sellers and buyers both for cooking and drinking more so when supply at the commercial tap is erratic. Members of MHPF/CCODE have two self funded and managed Kiosks to supply water to the grouping (total of 80 houses) housing project. A water seller is responsible for all transactions-collecting cash and paying bills. The kiosks have never been disconnected.

However, consultations indicate that problems relate to sanitation as communities appear used to open/bush defecation and pit latrines. The argument that skyloo toilets can save space when the people have enough space does not make sense. In addition communities find it hard work to mould bricks or use cement just for a toilet slabs.

WESM: The community to be provided a borehole must mobilize (fundraise) K15,000 as deposit, must establish a water committee; must ensure gender balance, ensure to repair the borehole. To this effect local persons may be trained to repair the borehole and use funds from the initial deposit. Members also pay for the water at minimal cost to ensure continued cash availability for repairs.Mchinji: a grouping of the private operators was formed called Community Liaison Group (CLG) the only such organization in three zones. The other governance structure was observed in Nkhota-kota where a community Water Committee was established. Elsewhere water committees only exist in rural areas where it is a requirement before a borehole can be provided to the community. The WASH officer based at the Hospital promotes Community Lead Total Sanitation (CLTS) and School Lead Total Sanitation (SLTS) (at primary schools and community based child cares centres), but the majority of activities are rural based. Even data collection assumes that urban centres do not exist (data is collected and reported only by Traditional area).

Ntchisi Area:

Ntchisi Area:Interviews with the DPD in Ntchisi District Council revealed that sanitation and hygiene issues are generally absent at Ntchisi District Centre. Few activities are being implemented at the the District Centre by the District Heath Officer (WASH Officer) and the District Water Officer. NGOs are operating in the rural areas. The choice of an operation area is based on the criteria set by the NGO. It was generally noted that NGO have vested interest in some rural areas and hence they do not operate in small towns. Some NGOs are Christian based and therefore operate where their followers stay. There is also a general feeling that the Malawi Government through the district and town councils priorities offering services to urban centres but neglects the rural areas. If the NGO operates in an urban centre where the Government is already implementing WASH activities it becomes difficult to quantify the results (impacts and effectiveness) from the NGO actions. This scenario forces the NGOs to operate in rural areas where Governments interventions are almost absent.

It was reported that all water kiosks are operated by individuals. There are no Water User Associations in the area. A visit to one of the kiosks (Kiosk No 6) confirmed that the kiosks are being operated by individuals. The kiosk that was visited (Kiosk No 2) was closed at the time of the visit due to rationing by CRWB. It was fairy in good condition even though the soak way needed improvement. The kiosk has two taps but only one is operating at present. It was reported that customers pay MK500.00 per month.

Dowa: Interviews with the DPD in Ntchisi District Council revealed that sanitation and hygiene issues are generally absent at Ntchisi District Centre. Few activities are being implemented at the the District Centre by the District Heath Officer and the District Water Officer. NGOs are operating in the rural areas. The choice of an operation area is based on the criteria set by the NGO. It was generally noted that NGO have vested interest in some rural areas and hence they do not operate in small towns

It was reported that all water kiosks are operated by individuals. There are no Water Users Associations in the area. A visit to one of the kiosks (Kiosk No 6) confirmed that the kiosks are being operated by individuals. This kiosk was closed at the time of the visit due to rationing. It was fairy in good condition even though the soak way needed improvement. The kiosk has two taps but only one is operating at present. It was reported that customers pay MK500.00 per month.

2.4 WATER SUPPLY SITUATION

This section provides a detailed description of water supply services, management and coverage. The planned and actual capacity of the system and the functionality levels.

Technically all small towns are utilizing either surface water or groundwater. None of the small towns were observed to be utilizing rainwater harvesting. Surface water uses river intakes which operate as run of river schemes or storage schemes with storage reservoirs up stream. Availability of groundwater is depended on the hydrogeology of the area under consideration. Specific information is found under each scheme.

The CRWB is mandated to supply potable water to some of the centres as prescribed in the Water Works Act. CRWB sources water from surface and underground sources either by using a river intake or boreholes and pumping into treatment works for treatment before distribution to clients. From the treatment work water is pumped into storage reservoirs located strategic points within the supply area. Distribution is generally by gravity. However, it was observed in some schemes that water was pumped directly from a borehole into the distribution system.

Mponela Scheme-CRWB Supply water to an estimated 58% (7500) of the estimated 13000 supply area population of Mponela scheme. Supply is through 24 hours/day pumping from boreholes that get their water stored in the weathered basement complex aquifer. Generally, sustainable surface water sources are absent. Mponela has a total of 851 metered customers and 15 on the waiting list. However, 149 were disconnected at the time of visit due to unpaid bills.

The main challenges at Mponela Scheme include: Not enough storage tanks. There is only one tank of capacity 200 m3 . There are seven (7) plant houses/boreholes, but the yields are very low at an average of 0.9 l/sec for each borehole There are many customers at Chikuluti Low Density area, but due to low pressure, supply cannot be extended Too many power outages, lead to low production and hence failure to supply 24hrs/ day Low budgetary allocation of K1.7 million for the whole Mponela Zone which has been negatively impacted by devaluation of 2012.New projects include the proposed new 350 m3 tank under the World Bank project estimated at $2.0 million. With the new tank, it is expected that supply will improve. For example, during testing, 3 newly drilled boreholes yielded 8 l/sec and 3 others yielded 2 l/sec. The major determinant of sustainability remain weather and the local characteristics of the aquifer. Other future plans are to reach more low income communities by increasing the number of kiosks from 9 thereby increasing customer base by at least 5%. Considering the budgetary limitations, sanitation and hygiene aspects are not considered except to advise customers, during installation to ensure the water points are kept clean. In addition, although there are NGOs such as World Vision, stationed at Mponela, these do not operate within the supply area of the scheme.

Madisi SchemeMadise Scheme has a potential supply area population of 10,500 but coverage is only 48% (5,000). Supply is from 4 boreholes and three tanks (one of which in nonoperational). The main challenges in Madise Scheme include: Only one bore hole is effective at 0.5 l/sec which is still too little. One borehole is not operational Power outages disrupt production There are no NGOs to support CRWB effortsMadise scheme expects to use internal sources to drill two(2) new boreholes to increase supply and customer base by at least 3 within 2012/13 financial year. Five (5) kiosks are also planned as this can serve the low income groups who lack alternative water sources since surface and ground water sources are salty in the area. Other consideration relate to the need to rehabilitate existing boreholes.

Mchinji Private Operators: Since 2002, kiosks were non-operational because of outstanding bills. This led to decision to privatise. CRWB advertised to expression of interest followed by interviews. Those recruited were observed for one year. In two years, use of operators was seen as effective: paid outstanding bills, paid current bills, cleanliness at kiosk, cleanliness at soak away, and respect to customers. An operators formed the community Liaison group with support of CRWB. CLG has 21 members (ought to be 29), membership corresponds with number of kiosks. The 8 are no longer because their kiosks are disconnected. No operator can be outside CLG. Operators are responsible for all maintenance work after the meter. MOU was signed in which chairman ensures bills are paid to CRWB, if not one loses membership of CLG and kiosk is disconnected. CRWB on heir [art must supply adequate water continuously. When there tariff adjustment CLG is told in advance and a decision is made to revise kiosk rate or not. CRWB and CLG hold regular meetings and attend each others meetings. CLG has since opened a welfare bank account at MSB. CLG Kiosks have different operational schedules, 17 open 6-11 am and 3-6.30 pm (4 open all day). Clients pay K15 /25 litre pail; 5/litre pail sell at K5. Some clients pay monthly K500 for 6 pail daily. In a month an operator can earn as much as K6,000-K7,000 and pay half of it to CRWB. This description is based on discussion with Kapusa Nkhata: operator of Kiosk No. 15 since 2006 and chairman of CLG. As social responsibility, Kapusa Nkhata allowed an elderly woman to draw water for free when kiosk is open. Mchinji Scheme:Mchinji supply water from Chimwankhuku and Mtenjemanage streams. Additional supply is from overflow of the rural water supply scheme operated by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development (rehabilitated in 1994). The overflow is due to low demand downstream ( a situation that calls for some kind of partnership between the bodies). Water is then led into storage tank of 1500 m3 by gravity from where 8 hours supply is assured even in absence of power. Since only stream water is used flocculants are not used as water is not very turbid. Population in the supply area is 21, 160 but coverage is about 50% (10,580) with only 1800 customers. Breakdown by category was not available, but there are 29 kiosks (8 disconnected). CRWB sells water to Kiosk at K51.36 / m3 which is equivalent to 40 pails. Operator sell the water at K600 / m3 which is a very high profit margin. It was surprising that Kiosks operators failed to pay bills to point of disconnection. When kiosks were disconnected , there were bills ranging from K20, 000 to K200,000 (the total owed by Kiosks was over K500, 000).

Kochilira scheme The scheme was developed in 1956 to supply water to the Kochilira Rural Hospital . The Scheme sources water from two sources (a) a shallow well installed with a motorized pump and a borehole which is a stand by source. Water is pumped via 100 mm pipes into 43 m3 overhead steel tank only for the hospital, staff and a few households. It can pump water for 3 hours to supply for a whole day. The total population in the supply area is 4, 565, but only 301 (6.6%) is served with only about 50 customers with 7 disconnected. Though the scheme was developed specifically for the hospital, there were plans to expand to Kamwendo but the idea was reversed when a new scheme was developed at Kamwendo. By September, 2012 replacement and rehabilitation of Kochilira tank and will be accomplished.

Kamwendo Scheme: The scheme is new having been developed after 2010. Supply is from 7 boreholes into a 500 m3 tank. Though 500 had made applications, the CRWB expects over 1150 connections in total by 2012. Kamwendo scheme used funds meant for Nkhamenya where both water and sanitation could have been covered. The failure to extend Kochilira scheme gave the urgency for Kamwendo project. Sanitation issues were removed due to price variations.

Main Challenges for Mchinji Schemes: Some locations are far from mains, hence are not served Communities complain they do not get adequate supply In the dry season there is shortage of supply due to low head at source, hence dry taps Misuse of water , hence unaccounted for water and high bills Annual funding of K1 to K2 million is inadequateProposed projects include: 3.5 km and 2.4 km extensions to Maula and Masausto areas in 2012/13 fiscal year New connection to Ludzi stream with internal funds totaling K2.0 million (before devaluation). Currently hydrological designs are under finalization. Since CRWB supply water based on where people develop, other projects depend on demand e.g. towards Zambia border where many people are building houses.Kasungu SchemeWater is supplied from Chitete Dam, developed in 1968 and rehabilitated in 1993 by raising the old dam. Production is estimated at 1000 m3 /day with two storage tanks of 750 m3 and 450 m3. Additional supply is from Nguluyanawambe dam ( 750m 3 /day). The current population in the supply is about 50,147 of which 66% (33,097) is currently served with supply.

The main challenges include: Some areas do not have water despite being connected e.g. Chithiba School after Chitete; Kasalika residential area. At Chiteyeye, the tank is on site, but the households lack any water, Chitete has no water every morning. This affects sanitation and hygiene The system is old, demand is higher than supply, hence tanks are nearly always empty. Estimates showed that by 2012 demand would outstrip supply due to low capacity (CRWB, 2009 :19) Open defecation in town is common. The existence of flying toilet has been noted in some informal settlements due to low latrine coverage or lack of space within individual Housing plots. Use of unsafe water in wells (e.g. at the market) due to erratic supply and high cost of water supplied by private operators Apparent inequity- Belele and Kamvunguti (and some parts of Chitete) which are high income locations 24 hours supply. Other centers of Nkhamenya and Chatoloma appear neglected despite that Nkhamenya will be growth centreProposed projects include: Expansion of supply to Yasenya where there no water. Construction of a new tank at Mapuloti Area. Rehabilitation and expansion of the scheme under International Development Bank funded National Water Development Project. This involves increasing reticulation network, rehabilitation of old pipelines, increasing production and improving financial performance. Though the project which was expected to be completed by 2011, had stalled, it was in 2012 on course with identification of new contractors. The project will also improve filters at the dam, construct two (2) tanks/reservoirs. Total estimated cost of the project was $587,115.

Kasungu: Kiosk No.4 Chitete (there are six other kiosks in the area): The Kiosk is privatised to Mrs Samson since 1998. She paid K4000 to buy the kiosk. Patrons either pay K15/pail of 20 litres or choose to pay monthly fee of K600. She has 20 customers who opted for monthly payments. The kiosk is open 6-11 am and 4-6 pm. She earns about K6,000 profit from which she pay a K1,500/month as a wage for a water seller , Her bills range from K4000 to K11,000/month.Dry private commercial tap at Kasungu Market

The important well at Kasungu Market

Dowa scheme

Central Region Water Board supply water to an estimated population of 4,644 which is 58% coverage of Dowa s 8,000 population. The Board is utilizing a dual supply system with both surface and ground water. The source of surface water is Lingadzi River with an intake near Kongwe Mission. The water comes from Kongwe Dam which takes its name after the mission. The Board is utilizing 1 borehole of ground water with an average yield of 2 litre /s. Total production is at 13, 500m3/month with billed volume of 11,000 m3 / month reflecting 30% non revenue water. It was reported that generally the actual non revenue water falls within the average value of 18%. The customer base comprises 738 connections with 636 active connections. A total of 102 are disconnected due to non payment of bills. The actual break down of customers shows that there are 565 individual customers in domestic category, 35 institutions, 12 kiosks (2 disconnected), 24 commercial customers ( non disconnected).

The major challenges for the scheme include: Inadequate capacity of the system means that production is less than the total demand for Dowa Boma. Power outages affect the operation of the system. Nonpayment of bills especially by Government Institutions. Aging of the plant electro-mechanical equipment. Siltation of the dam due deforestation uphill. Presence of Manganese at the borehole site affect water quality. High cost of chemicals e.g. alum for coagulation and sodium hypochlorite for disinfection

Proposed future projects include extension of the network, especially towards the road from M1 that is currently under construction, in order to increase customer base by 3% in 2012. There is also a proposal to rehabilitate and upgrade the treatment facilities in order to meet current and future demand. Cash estimates were not made available. The CRWB team also expressed their wish to implement activities for the protection of the catchment area.

Ntchisi Scheme

CRWB utilizes a dual supply system from both surface and ground water. The source of surface water is Kaombe River with its intake approximately 5Km south of Ntchisi Boma. Kaombe River has a yield of 3.6l/s. The Board is utilizing 3 boreholes to source ground water with an average yield of 1.8l/s. CRWB supply water to an estimated population of 9,586 at Ntchisi Boma with the connected population totaling 6,514 people , that is, a coverage of 66%. The customer base comprises 872 individual customers in domestic category, 25 kiosks ( 6 disconnected), 32 institutions and 23 commercial connections.

The major challenges for the scheme include: Inadequate yield for the dual system considering the fact that the population has overgrown translating into water demand that is far much higher than what the scheme capacity. This leads to water rationing. Some distribution lines operate for a period of 2 hrs only during the day while others can only access water at night. Technically the Slow sand Filter fails to remove turbidities from the surface water. The situation was worsened by removal of pressure filter for unexplained reasons. high levels of siltation at the intake due to agricultural activities upstream that lead to erosion. The distribution system has some pipes that are corroded and smaller than required for a growing population Some critical areas lack supply because of funding shortage. Power outages due to the rationing affects the pumping hence it is not possible to supply 24 hours a dayThe improvements under pipeline were as follows: Identification of a new source the can beef up the supply capacity of the existing system. Rehabilitating and upgrading the distribution system to remove bottlenecks. Extending the distribution network to reach communities that are currently not supplied. Rehabilitating the treatment plant to improve the treatment efficiency.No financial estimates were provided.

Salima Scheme

Salima Kiosk No 45 Chipembedza: the kiosk was previously run by a water Committee. It was privatised because the committee failed to account for funds leading to its disconnection. Mrs Mzati Maotcha who operates the Kiosk since 2010 is the third person to do so after two others previously failed to manage it. She paid K20,000 to CRWB in two instalments to be allowed to operate it. The Kiosk is open all day from 6am -6pm. Unlike elsewhere, the kiosk has sustained supply. All client must pay cash. She charges K10/pail and can make K100-K300/day. The minimal earning imply many households also use other sources.Water supply in the urban area is from underground using four (4) powered boreholes which are about 50m in depth and provide a yield of 16l/s. The scheme has three storage tanks; Mpatsa and Kaphatenga tanks which have a capacity of 500m3 each and the one close to CRWB offices with a capacity of 222m3. The Supply area has a population of 21,000 out of which only 70% are covered with the Supply through a total of 2482 connections. However, at the time of visit only 2146 connections were reportedly active. The customer base comprises 1884 individual customers in domestic category, 84 kiosks out of which only 44 are currently active, 67 institutions and 151 commercial connections.

The major challenges for the scheme include: Illegal boreholes drilled within the supply area by individuals exert unexpected competition The borehole site area has been encroached by resident i.e. the 100 mm radius of reserved area for the borehole site is not observe by the communities. Power outages is hamper pumping regime and consequently affects production. Some CWP are being operated by village headmen which on this setup it is a threat to operational sustainability. CWP constructed by MASAF were taken as free water sources by the communities leading their disconnection. Low income communities utilize alternative unimproved sources because Kiosk operators Charge what is deemed as exorbitant rates. In case of communal kiosk managed by water committees, chiefs want their relatives to use water for free or direct free collection during funerals leading to high bills and disconnectionThere is a proposed project to train kiosk operators on Kiosk management and operation. Another project will expand Senga Bay scheme to cater for 3000 customers at MAFCO and 1000 customers at Parachute Battalion under the World Bank . There is also planned extension to Ngolowindo from Salima Town and Kaphatenga using internal funding

Kiosk No. 45 is open all day-Salima

Nkhota Kota SchemeCRWB sources water from 6 boreholes at Chitenje (5km out of the boma centre) which are 35 m- 50 m deep and pumps it into storage tanks at St Pauls (750 m3 ), Airport (75 m3 ) and at district hospital for the hospitals exclusive use ( 75 m3 ). Since underground water is perceived pure, only chlorine is used to disinfect the water at Nkhota Kota Scheme. The total population in the supply area is about 19421 with 17940 served ( 92% ). The total customer base is 1650. The breakdown of customers by category was not available except that there are 52 kiosks (13 disconnected). Of the kiosks, 9 have water committee instituted on their re-opening by a businessman who paid outstanding bills and ensured that bill payment is honored thereafter. Other kiosks have since been privatized. The CRWB sells water to kiosks at K56.50 / m3 to kiosks. The communities therefore make a reasonable profit by charging K10/pail of 20 litres. It is unclear why kiosk get disconnected.

Challenges include: Rapid unplanned growth of the urban area (DSIP, p. 15) Supply pipes are far from some locations, hence some fail to get connect because of high cost Frequent power outages affect pumping and supply to communitiesPlanned projects include construction of a new tank (1500-3000 m3) along Kasungu Road even though funding has not been identified.

Nkhota-Kota: Kiosk No. 19 FGD: the kiosk is managed by a water committee which was elected on 11 April 2012. The kiosk has been disconnected for nearly 10 years. To open the Kiosk, a businessman Edward Mdechi asked communities to organize themselves by electing a committee that would sell the water to pay bills. Once the committee was elected, he paid all outstanding bills. The kiosk is open only 6-9 am. Each household pays K150/month( raised K200/month since July). Monthly earning were K4000 and have increased to K7200. Bills are at maximum of K5150. This gives a small profit. The community has strict rules: a member of the committee sits at the kiosk in turn to ensure each family draws an agreed amount of 4 pails. On the first day of the month, each Household, gives cash to the secretary for recording and the secretary transfers the cash to the treasurer. A household that fails to pay on 1st of the month, has a grace period of 5 days. Thereafter , they cannot draw water at the Kiosk until they pay the full amount. With the approach, the community has no more problems, except in July when CRWB had wanted to disconnected water for delays to pay the bill, but CRWB discovered it was their own delay to deliver the bill. This process was not smooth. The new committee replaced another one that had existed until July because one person has so much power as he held three positions (chairman, treasurer and member)- so they community, fearing this could lead to misuse of fund, removed some powers and gave him only one position of chairman. When asked whether they learnt WASH issues, the committee members said they taught themselves that it is important to clean the area around the Kiosk, and each committee members has a role on the roaster.Some Water Committee members-Nkhota-kota

Dwangwa Scheme

Dwangwa Scheme is relatively new having been launched in 2007 and financed from internal sources. It is the only scheme operating from rented offices. It supplies water from two boreholes with yields of 1.6 litre /second and 4.55 litre /second. The water is led into a 400 m3 Reservoir tank. Supply area population is estimated at 12,000 (excludes Illovo) with a total of 1304 with 634 (49%) disconnected. The high disconnection rate may be because some who rushed to have connections realized it was not cheap as there are no kiosks within the scheme on which many low income households depend in other small towns. Consequently, there are nearly 10 boreholes within CRWB Supply Area at the mosque, housing areas, lodges, Chipiku, Bus stage, including at a house adjacent to CRWB office).

The main challenges include: Inadequate supply. Some locations to the south (Mowe Area around Nkhoma CCAP church) have no supply and rely on shallow wells and boreholes; There are dry taps are usually in the evening and worse in September to November each year due to low pressure No other actor can supply water within Dwangwa town because it is jurisdiction of CRWB who lack capacity Existing projects includes finalization of newly drilled borehole and 200 m3 tank (internally funded) to increase base to customer 1500 around Mowe and Smallholder Cane Growers housing Area. Another borehole is planned to the south of Dwangwa River. There are also plans for construction of kiosks to reach low income communities.

Protected Shallow well at a lodge -Dwangwa

Table 2: Customer BaseSchemePopulation in Supply AreaIndividual HHInstitutionsCommercial/IndustrialKiosk/CWP[footnoteRef:3] [3: The brackets indicate number of Kiosks disconnected, highlighted to differentiate with other disconnections (commercial, institutional or HH)]

DisconnectedWaiting List

Kasungu[footnoteRef:4] [4: Active customers as of now are 3900]

50,147267711816044na40

Kochilira4565324319na

Kamwendo 7240nananananana

Mchinji21,1601301598529(8)[footnoteRef:5] [5: Zone Manager reports a total of 16 Kiosks]

nana

Mponela13,0007812536914921

Madise 10,5003421790910

Ntchisi9,586872322325 (6)00

Dowa8,000565322712 (2)1020

Salima 21,00018846715184 (44)[footnoteRef:6] [6: Some were constructed under MASAF and have never been used because communities thought they would be free water sources]

3400

Chipoka -1671596--

Senga Bay-2119127--

Nkhota-Kota[footnoteRef:7] [7: Total number of customers at Nkhota-kota is 1650]

24,726nana53 (13)nana

Dwangwa 12,000585252406345

2.5 SANITATION AND HYGIENE SITUATION

This section gives a detailed description of the type and levels of sanitation coverage and management and the existing gaps. The common facilities in order of preference are water borne flush toilets, ventilated improved pit latrine, the traditional pit latrine and other.

According to UNICEF/WHO, (2012:21) in Malawi only 51% have improved access to sanitation, 33% share pit latrines, 8% have unimproved toilet and 8% practice open defecation. It is also interesting to note that Malawi made significant strides on sanitation since 1995 with 22.8% (some 3.4 million people) gaining access to improved sanitation by 2010 (UNICEF/WHO, (2012:22). However, as shown in sections that follow trends in the small towns are not encouraging.

2.5.1 Kasungu Zone-

12.7% use flush toilets, 4.8% use VIP and 80.9% use traditional pit latrines while 1.7% have no toilet at all and 0.3% use other means. Municipal council takes the lead especially on solid waste. Wastes are collected from selected residential areas for disposal at an open dump near Chiwengo village. Liquid waste management is largely through emptying of septic tanks and disposal outside the municipal boundary near Carmel location off the M1 road to Lilongwe. The Municipal Council established committee around skip site and sensitized communities on the importance of proper waste management in relation to sanitation and hygiene. There are 32 H.S.A within the urban centre who collect WASH data to assist in decision making. Several NGOs are based at Kasungu but operate in rural areas. These include World Vision, Red Cross, Plan Malawi, Centre for sustainable Community Development. One NGO, NICE partners with the council and Hospital to sensitize communities on the right to development and on WASH issues. A CBO, Malawi Homeless People Federation which is supported by a Lilongwe based NGO, CCODE, has a branch within Kasungu Town. The CBO largely deals with WASH and housing among slum communities. With the exception of H.S.A. stationed in the urban centre, even the WASH office of Ministry of Health id rural based where it promotes CLTS and SLTS.

Kiosk remain closed for Most of the day. Mchinji

Kasungu Town

More here..12.7% have a flush toilet, 4.8% have VIP, 80.9% have traditional pit latrines, while 0.3 have other types of toilets and 1.7% (or indeed 674 people or 140 HHs) have no toilet facilities. Within Kasungu, MHPF has an organized structure in which revolving loan funds are used to build ecological sustainable skyloo toilets which cost nearly k50,000 each. Fifty (50) such toilets have since been constructed for members of MHPF.

Mchinji Town / Boma

Sanitation and hygiene are not seriously considered. As such community hygiene at kiosks is missing because sanitation as construed as sewerage reticulation only by CRWB- and the board has not taken this role officially. Though Mchinji boast of awards for over 72% open defecation free rate on CLTS in 568 villages, lack of sanitation and hygiene coverage of the Boma threatens to derail progress towards open defecation free society by 2015.

2.5.2 Mponela Zone-

Ntchisi Area

Central Region Water Board reported that they are not currently involved in the sanitation and hygiene issues. However, they play an advisory role on how to take care of water points particularly kiosks.

Interviews with the DPD in Ntchisi District Council revealed that sanitation and hygiene issues are generally absent at Ntchisi Boma but there some players in rural areas like TA Nthondo, TA Chilowoko, TA Kasakula and TA Wasambo. The same information was echoed by the Director of Environmental Affairs in the same council. It was reported that the players in WASH activities include Plan International that provide financial assistance to CICOD through the Global Sanitation Fund ( GSF) in TA Kasakula, Water Aid in TA Wasambo through the PDI program, World Vision Malawi in TA Nthondo, T M Associates and MFAMA. It was reported that the WASH issues for the urban centre fall under Ministry of Health which implies that the District Health Officer is responsible.

It was observed that the District has implemented a considerable portion of software part of the WASH programs. Training in Sanitation Marketing was conducted. Training in Community Lead Total Sanitation (CLTS) was also conducted. The District has plans to implement 15 Ecosan pilot toilets and out of the 15 toilets 4 are to be implemented at the Boma.

According to 2008 census curried out by the National Statistical Office Ntchisi had 18 flush toilets, 0 ventilated improved pit latrines, 77 traditional pit latrines and 5 other unspecified latrines.

The major challenges highlighted under WASH were as follows;- Serious water shortage since Central Region Water Board cannot supply water full time. WASH activities are interlinked and rely on the availability of safe water. Ntchisi Boma is not a planning area as such there no codes, acts or bylaws that can guide the development. Even if there may be some codes of practice they cannot by enforced without the backing of an act of parliament. This implies that residents develop the area without any pattern and hence making the provision of services very difficult. The same implies to the quality or workmanship including those for washing and toilets. It was observed that there no ward councilors at present which means that there is no body to make bylaws. It was observed that there are proper damping sites for wastes thus making waste management a problem.

Dowa Area

Central Region Water Board reported that they are not currently involved in the sanitation and hygiene issues. However, the District Water Officer is the one responsible for coordinating, supervising and monitoring the activities related to WASH in the District.

According to the information sourced from the District Water Officer, 87 water points were constructed by partners. Of these 87 water points only 4 are boreholes while the rest are shallow wells with Mark V pumps. However all these water points are located in the rural areas.The overview for Dowa Rural in as far as WASH issues are concerned looked as presented in the table below by 2011. Data for 2012 has not been collected yet.

Nkhota-Kota: Kiosk No. 19 FGD: the kiosk is managed by a water committee which was elected on 11 April 2012. The kiosk has been disconnected for nearly 10 years. To open the Kiosk, a businessman Edward Mdechi asked communities to organize themselves by electing a committee that would sell the water to pay bills. Once the committee was elected, he paid all outstanding bills. The kiosk is open only 6-9 am. Each household pays K150/month( raised K200/month since July). Monthly earning were K4000 and have increased to K7200. Bills are at maximum of K5150. This gives a small profit. The community has strict rules: a member of the committee sits at the kiosk in turn to ensure each family draws an agreed amount of 4 pails. On the first day of the month, each Household, gives cash to the secretary for recording and the secretary transfers the cash to the treasurer. A household that fails to pay on 1st of the month, has a grace period of 5 days. Thereafter , they cannot draw water at the Kiosk until they pay the full amount. With the approach, the community has no more problems, except in July when CRWB had wanted to disconnected water for delays to pay the bill, but CRWB discovered it was their own delay to deliver the bill. This process was not smooth. The new committee replaced another one that had existed until July because one person has so much power as he held three positions (chairman, treasurer and member)- so they community, fearing this could lead to misuse of fund, removed some powers and gave him only one position of chairman. When asked whether they learnt WASH issues, the committee members said they taught themselves that it is important to clean the area around the Kiosk, and each committee members has a role on the roaster.Even though the information on major challenges was not explicitly stated, one would note that they may be similar to the Ntchisi scenario which were highlighted under WASH as follows;- Water shortage since Central Region Water Board cannot supply water 24hrs/day. Sanitation and Hygiene issues are interlinked and rely on the availability of safe water. The fact that water supply is intermittent, it means that Sanitation and hygiene are also affected. Dowa Boma is not a planning area as such there no codes, acts or bylaws that can guide the development. Even if there may be some codes of practice they cannot by enforced without the backing of an act of parliament. This implies that residents develop the area without any pattern and hence making the provision of services very difficult. The same implies to the quality or workmanship including those for washing and toilets. There are no ward councilors at present which means that there is no body to make bylaws. There are no proper damping sites for wastes thus making waste management a problem. Degradation of the catchment is one of the major challenges of Dowa Water Supply Scheme. There is growing evidence that underground water is being degraded.

2.5.3 Salima Zone

Salima Town:

District Water Officer is responsible for coordinating, supervising and monitoring the activities related to WASH in the District. However, the work is undertaken jointly with district coordinating team comprising all wash related offices such as the district hospital, planning directorate, education office among others. It was reported that development partners like UNICEF and Works for Rural Health (WRH) have only supported interventions on Sanitation and hygiene activities in rural areas. The only urban intervention in Salima was in 2002 under DANIDA funded Urban Environmental Management Project when Malimba low income (3,000 population) location was targeted with VIP latrines (2 model latrines, community training and supply of cement for pit latrine construction) (Salima town Assembly, 2002:32) . The access to safe to safe sanitation in Salima Town is low. 10% have flush toilets, 6.6% have VIP latrines, 80% use traditional pit latrines while 1.2% used other type of toilet and 1.8% had no toilet at all in which case one would conclude they were using open defecation. The prevalence of traditional pit latrines is a source of water and sanitation related diseases due to the high water table and poor drainage due to low altitude of the centre. Poor drainage is an additional contributory cause of malaria. Reflecting the poor WASH situation, since the 1995, cholera outbreaks have become commonplace (Salima Urban SOER, p. 15).Challenges include: lack of sewer works for disposal of sewerage collected from household and other septic tanks. The only available disposal pond is owned by the Hospital who despite under utilizing the facility restrict disposal by other institutions within the town. As such septic tank remain un-emptied which leads to spillage of human waste. inadequate funding to develop an urban disposal facility ( 6 stabilisation ponds) on land already identified off Senga Bay Road, hence open dumping of solid waste and forest dumping of liquid waste Parachute Battalion Forest too many pit latrines lead to underground pollution e.g. CRWB borehole was closed around Kamuzu Road market for this reason open defecation in public places such as markets compromises CLTS in nearby villages e.g. Villagers of Kudayiza and Mfuti regularly complain of open defection by traders from the market Water logging leads to collapse of pit latrines Geological characteristics of the district has rendered some sanitation interventions to obsolete. There is no solid waste collection services provided by the council to the community because of lack of capacity. Only the district hospital has a liquid waste treatment facility. However, the facility does not accommodate liquid waste from residential areas Dissolution of the township since 2009 has affected delivery of WASH services in the town as the District council is only concerned with rural areas.

What is of interest is that some of these challenges had been expected to be resolved by the Action Plan of 2002-2007 e.g. construct sewage disposal, construct land fill , but they are still outstanding.( See Salima Urban Environmental Action Plan 2002, pp 6-7)

Nkhota kota

According to discussion with district councils staff, water and sanitation are not a priority at the town because these are catered for by CRWB. The CRWB itself has little interest in sanitation and hygiene and relies on hospital staff to sensitise communities. The only involvement of CRWB in sanitation and hygiene is advice given to communities to keep the area around kiosks clean. However, there are some areas that use shallow wells because of disconnections and lack of access to existing supply. There are at least 15 boreholes at the Boma including at the Government hospital and 12 schools within the Boma mainly because CRWB fails to supply (adequate ) water. Sanitation is not a concern at priority No 13 in the development plan and focuses only on sanitation and hygiene in public places such as markets (DDP, pp. 3 & 110, it is also clear from the Sanitation & Hygiene Mapping Report of 2010 that sanitation and Hygiene are seen only in the context on market centers). An emerging concern during consultation was waste management is also a concern as there is no dumping site. Evidence of this problem was a cholera outbreak 4 years ago and 921 cases in 2001. It was also noted that 4% of hospital admissions at government hospital are due to diarhorea. Therefore although the council has target of 70% adequate sanitation and 76% safe water access by 2015, the urban centre/Boma which grows at nearly 5% per year, is excluded from the plans-the only proposed project being preparation of detailed layout plan for the Boma.

In the Nkhota-Kota District Development Plan (2010-2013:3), among the 13 priority problems or issues, low access to potable water is first priority while poor sanitation in public places is 13th priority. Sanitation within the town generally does not appear as an issueThe district Council is trying to work with PDI to adapt their experience with sanitation clubs in rural area where WASH has been integrated in Kasakula-Mwansambo Piped Water supply system to the urban set up at the Boma.PDI already has a partnership with the Council, communities and Water Aid. [sanitation clubs are groups of 25 school children who learn WASH principles with the expectation of influencing parents at home. The approach has benefit of sustainability]. Using this arrangement PDI would commence with mobilization and sensitization at the Boma. The Council also has Satellite imagery for Nkhota Kota Boma and will soon procure another for Dwangwa. This is expected to assist in planning for these two centers.

The above challenges were reported to be caused by:a. political interference was a cause for disconnections. The politicians promised to pay on behalf of people but never paid up.

Dwangwa Town.

Sanitation and Hygiene like elsewhere is neglected at Dwangwa. CRWB only involvement in sanitation and hygiene is advice to clients during water connection on the need to keep the surrounding clean. The exception is the area under Illovo Sugar where an Environment Policy developed in 2011 ensures there is hygiene education to all workers and households. In the town many households lack toilets. Based on discussions with stakeholders, ten (10) households may share one pit latrine in some locations. Schools within the town also have high sanitation demand. E.g. Dwangwa JP school with 1000 pupils had only one toilet.

It is no surprise that the town has an average of 100 cases of blood diarrhea due to use of unsafe water within cane fields and wells. Schitomiasis is also experienced. Attempts made include distribution of prazquantel and abendozole to treat words. Awareness projects have also commenced with assistance of Water Aid/ WESM, sanitation clubs, but these NGOs have to go outside their jurisdiction to undertake such activity (e.g. WESM constructed a K247, 000 VIP at Dwangwa JP School) despite their project being rural based. Potential for stakeholder participation in sanitation (including waste disposal ) exist as seen from a July 2012 awareness campaign on sustainable waste disposal whereby Dwangwa based institutions joined hands to support WESM in public awareness campaign by contributing cash (totaling K182,000), drinks and other materials as follows: Illovo: 10 drums to be used for waste disposal within Dwangwa town Standard Bank : soft drinks for participants during the initiative Ethanol ; K20,000 Dwangwa Cane growers ltd: K60,000 Unitrans :K50,000.Table 3: Situation of WASH [re-do table]Large/District Centres Other main/Rural Market Centres

IC ICY CWP UW PW BH SP R/S IC ICY CWP UW PW BH SP R/S

Kasungu 17 36 37 1 2 6 0 0 Dwangwa 3 18 17 0 0 56 0 0

Nkhotakota 15 18 16 3 0 46 0 0 Madisi 12 29 39 5 6 5 0 5

Dowa 12 29 44 6 2 7 0 0 Mponela 7 19 28 17 16 12 0 1

Ntchisi 20 29 12 4 1 30 0 3 Chipoka 4 16 2 2 8 61 0 3

Salima 10 25 22 5 8 26 1 2 Namitete 2 2 0 17 37 42 0 0

Mchinji 9 30 36 5 12 6 0 1 Kamwendo 0 0 0 5 22 72 0 0

Dedza 16 26 31 8 9 10 0 0 Kochilira 14 8 1 12 38 23 0 4

Source: NSO (2010)

Open Dumping of Garbage, Mchinji3.0 ISSUES, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This section outlines the major issues emerging issues from the consultation and analysis of the findings. The section also makes specific recommendations based on the situation analysis, key challenges and issues. The recommendations provide the entry point for potential engagement by Water Aid in these selected small towns.

3.2 Conclusion

The aim of the study was to undertake a situation analysis of WASH in small towns within the supply area of CRWB with specific target being Mponela, Kasungu and Salima Zones. Based on document review, field visits and consultations with various stakeholders/actors, it was found that there are several commendable efforts within these zones to sell WASH to stakeholders and donors. For example, GoM developed a national policy specifically for the WASH agenda and an investment plan has since been finalized. The CRWB itself has several projects underway or planned to improve water supply. [read Various editions of the Malawi Millennium Development Goals Report to check progress].

However, planning, funding and implementation of WASH in these small centers is skewed to water supply. A vivid example is drawn from Nkhota-Kota District Development Plan in which among the 13 priority problems or issues, low access to potable water is first priority while poor sanitation in public places[ not everywhere] is thirteenth priority. A clear spatial disparity is observed with regard funding. Whereas sanitation and hygiene receive large sums of funds in the districts, these funds are all allocated to rural areas. It can be speculated that global trends suggesting urban bias compel actors to target the rural areas.[footnoteRef:8] The understanding that CRWB adequately caters for urban areas is misplaced as the institution has a serious capacity challenge to supply water to meet demand in part because of lack of capacity by ESCOM to supply power on which CRWB is constantly dependent. For this reason, despite the rapid urbanization the country faces, development planning generally excludes the small urban centers within the districts. The Mchinji Water Atlas for 2008 for example, shows the boma centre just any other settlement within TA Zulus Area (Mchinji District Assembly, 2010 :16). Furthermore, CRWB itself and its externally funded projects, lack mainstreaming of sanitation and hygiene. In short, while urban water supply can rely on CRWB, urban sanitation and hygiene are shunned by all actors in these small towns. It is also clear that due to failure by communities to honour bills, the favoured option by the CRWB is private operators who, nonetheless, are not well coordinated leading water alarming price differentials (e.g. general trend for kiosk water is K10/pail, at Kasungu Market a private tap operator charges K40/pail[footnoteRef:9]) [8: For example, an estimated 96 per cent of the urban population globally used an improved water supply source in 2010, compared to 81 per cent of the rural population and 80 per cent of the worlds urban population had piped water connections, compared to only 29 per cent of people in rural areas; 79 per cent of the urban population use an improved sanitation facility, compared to 47 per cent of the rural population. (UNICEF/WHO, 2012:12;23)] [9: Of course the operator is billed commercially ]

Several key issues came out of the consultation and document review which are singled, without regard to order, out for purposes of recommendations below.

3.2 Key Issues and Recommendations

Recommendations relate to supply and demand sides of support to service delivery, capacity building and how to influence policy and regulatory frameworks formulation or review.

i. Issues: The issues of WASH tend to consider only residential areas and schools, but leave out widespread open defecation and unsustainable waste disposal at public places such as market places. Recommendation: This gap should not be left to widen by the proposed expansion drive outside LLWB supply area.

ii. Issues: There is an apparent misconception that CLTS is rural based in all districts and towns visited. In Mchinji an urban specific concept was even suggested: Peri-Urban LTS. Recommendation- more sensitization of both staff and communication is required so that CLTS is understood to mean simply that communities lead the process regardless of locality (urban or rural)

iii. Issue: Policy and regulatory policy and law prevent drilling of boreholes urban centres, and only CRWB has mandate for potable water supply. However, CRWB lacks capacity for full coverage. Recommendation: Water Policy and Water Works Act require review to provide for cases where there is failure to supply potable water by CRWB and how such supply can meet Government and WHO water quality standards

iv. Issue: Many NGOs, both international and Local are based at the centres visited. However, all of them undertake activities only in the rural areas (areas outside designated urban centres as defined by Physical Planning department) on the pretext that urban areas are well catered for by CRWB who have legal mandate over such areas. Recommendation: advocacy is required to big organizations to support WASH in small urban centers and also for local and international NGOs operate at urban centres within existing policy and legal frameworks. In this context proper targeting of advocacy campaigns at decision makers and major donors (such as EU/GOM directors) and recognition of SWAp can go a long way in realising this agenda.

v. Issue: CRWB (and other authorities by default or design) are keen to enforce sections preventing other operators in their supply area, but do minimal on provisions requiring sufficient water supply and consideration of sanitation and hygiene. The prevention of boreholes in urban areas is contradictory as the CRWB itself also supplies from boreholes. In Salima Town, one such borehole behind Kamuzu Road market was permanently closed because of faecal contamination, the single justification for borehole restriction in urban centers. It is therefore apparent that being a commercial body, borehole restriction in urban centers, can simply be regarded as monopoly guaranteeing, because the main issue is that of water quality rather than who supplies(the major difference between them is that CRWB boreholes are powered while others are manual). Recommendation: policy and legal review as well as external intervention for capacity building are required to ensure implementation of all applicable laws regarding delivery of WASH by CRWB and to deliver adequate water supply to communities disregarding who does it.

vi. Issue: Water Kiosks were privatized to ensure payment of bills by communities. However, this has created some kind of monopoly that leads to unreasonable price increases which may prevent many people from accessing the potable water in the process beating rationale of Kiosks/CWP i.e. to supply subsidized potable water to low income groups unable to have individual connections. In addition, there are variations in the cost of water as some kiosks charge monthly fees while others charge per pail. Recommendation: communities need training and capacitating on CWP/kiosk management by adapting the concept of WUA (and small water boards overseeing WUAs). Initiated by Water Aid, the approach of WUA achieved good results within LLWB supply Area to the benefit of both communities (water availability and job creation) and to LLWB (revenue) (Water Aid, 2004).

vii. Issue: informally settled areas appear to suffer more neglect with regard to WASH because of unwritten policy to deprive such settlements of services as a way to discourage squatter development. Recommendation: in addition to realization of the constitutional provisions regarding the right to development, there should be attempts at arresting informal settlements growth before challenge compounds.

viii. Issue: failure by WASH stakeholders to fully disclose funding levels creates an artificial shortage of resources and also having too many NGOs in specific spatial localities at the expense of others. This is despite the policy being a rallying point to raise the profile and funding for WASH that could help realize the vision of Government and MDGs. Recommendation: All actors in WASH require to open up, work together honestly and pool resources.

ix. Issue: Decentralization Policy and LGA mandate local councils to plan projects, fundraise and implement which is a prudent undertaking considering that councils are closer to the communities and have first hand information. However, lack of political will and reluctance to implement the policy and law as well as inadequate human resources at the local level makes it difficult for councils to prepare bankable proposals to get funding to implement WASH projects. Recommendation: The GoM should show political will to implement the decentralization policy and LGA by holding council elections. Stakeholders should capacitate local councils on WASH through training.

x. Issue: The definition of concepts that define progress or lack of progress in the WASH sector remain controversial (e.g. safe, improved, adequate) and create confusion. Recommendation: Under SWAp consensus is needed on definition of concepts to have one measure for success or failure in the WASH agenda.

xi. Issue: Water Aid has one office in Lilongwe. It is difficult to implement projects in small towns where many are used to rural culture. when Water aid sub contracts, it gives too high targets. Recommendation. Water Aid to continue partnering with local NGOs who have direct linkages with communities and district councils, but require adjustment during project implementation by using midterm evaluation reports as a learning tool.

xii. Issue: The proposal to expand from LLWB supply area into CRWB Supply Area suggests that Water Aid has been successful within LLWB, but evidence shows there are gaps especially with regard to sanitation and hygiene at public places. Recommendation: Water aid should work on sanitation and hygiene in public places within LLWB supply area as they expand into CRWB Supply Area.

xiii. Issue: Low income communities either demand boreholes or use unsafe sources of water because of perception that potable water is costly. Sometimes, Kiosks are disconnected for bills of only K4000, yet communities demand boreholes which require K15,000 deposit or commitment fee because CRWB only provides the kiosk with any training of its management. Such requests also conflict government policy empowering only the CRWB in urban centers. Recommendation: Water delivery to communities should incorporate capacity building on management, operation and maintenance in addition to awareness.xiv. Insufficient budgetary allocation from Government which portrays lack of political will. Government approach has for long times attach sanitation funding to health, which is a curative strategy. Best approaches demand s