Water crises in a water-rich country: case studies from rural watersheds of Nepal's mid-hills

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to assess the water crisis in Nepal by conducting a series of case studies in rural watersheds in the mid-hills. This was achieved through the applied qualitative method, especially combinations of desk study/structured searches, consultation, and field observation. The ground survey revealed that most of the rural communities in the mid-hills have an unreliable water supply. According to the local stakeholders, 20–25% of water resources have dried up as compared to 20 years ago. Drying up of water resources disproportionately affects women and girls in rural areas as women are responsible for household chores, including fetching drinking water. The findings also revealed that low-income households bear a disproportionate coping burden as compared to elite groups, as they often engage in coping strategies such as collecting water from distant water sources, which is labor- and time-intensive, and also yields smaller quantities of water. Assuming that unreliable water supplies will continue to exist in rural areas of the mid-hills for the foreseeable future, there is a critical need to consider which, if any, coping strategies will be most effective in ensuring that poor households will have access to safe and sufficient water supply.

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TURNING FARMERS INTO SOCIAL FARMER ENTREPRENEURS FOR DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE

NORDSCI Conference proceedings, Book 1 Volume 3 ◽

10.32008/nordsci2020/b1/v3/31 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Remus Runcan

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Physical Work ◽

Healthy Environment ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural Development Programme ◽

Rural And Urban

According to Romania’s National Rural Development Programme, the socio-economic situation of the rural environment has a large number of weaknesses – among which low access to financial resources for small entrepreneurs and new business initiatives in rural areas and poorly developed entrepreneurial culture, characterized by a lack of basic managerial knowledge – but also a large number of opportunities – among which access of the rural population to lifelong learning and entrepreneurial skills development programmes and entrepreneurs’ access to financial instruments. The population in rural areas depends mainly on agricultural activities which give them subsistence living conditions. The gap between rural and urban areas is due to low income levels and employment rates, hence the need to obtain additional income for the population employed in subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, especially in the context of the depopulation trend. At the same time, the need to stimulate entrepreneurship in rural areas is high and is at a resonance with the need to increase the potential of rural communities from the perspective of landscape, culture, traditional activities and local resources. A solution could be to turn vegetal and / or animal farms into social farms – farms on which people with disabilities (but also adolescents and young people with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and alexithymia issues) might find a “foster” family, bed and meals in a natural, healthy environment, and share the farm’s activities with the farmer and the farmer’s family: “committing to a regular day / days and times for a mutually agreed period involves complying with any required health and safety practices (including use of protective clothing and equipment), engaging socially with the farm family members and other people working on and around the farm, and taking on tasks which would include working on the land, taking care of animals, or helping out with maintenance and other physical work”

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Using network analysis to analyse the complex interaction of factors causing the failure of small-scale water infrastructure (SWI) in the rural areas of South Africa

Water SA ◽

10.4314/wsa.v44i3.02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (3 July) ◽

Author(s):

DC Sambo ◽

A Senzanje ◽

K Dhavu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Small Scale ◽

Research Approach ◽

Water Services ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Technical Community ◽

Drying Up

Some parts of the rural areas of South Africa are receiving water services below the legislative standards stipulated in the Water Services Act (1997) of South Africa. This is because small-scale water infrastructures (SWI), including standpipes, handpumps and windmills, are failing to supply adequate water in rural communities for various activities that enhance their livelihoods. This is due to technical, community, institutional, and environmental factors. Literature indicates that these factors are complex in nature. However, research on their complex interactions has been limited. Therefore, the complex interactions of the factors causing SWI failure were investigated and analysed in this study. A qualitative research approach was employed to investigate the factors that cause failure of SWI. The network approach combined with graph theory and the community structure method were used to generate a theme and domain network that allowed for a systematic analysis and interpretation of the causes of SWI failure in the study area. The major causes of failure identified include: (i) the use of a top-down approach to implement water projects in rural communities without consultation, (ii) sharing of SWI in high numbers due to the limited number of SWI available/functional, resulting in overloading and increased breakdowns, and (iii) drying up of water sources due to poor siting leading to vandalism of SWI. Overall, the causes of SWI failure are as a result of the complex interactions of different categories of factors. The theme and domain network is a powerful tool that can be used represent and analyse the complex interactions. It is therefore imperative for interventions aiming to improve rural water supply to analyse the complex interactions of the causes of SWI failure to understand the underlying problems at a level of a system, in order to propose suitable solutions.

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Locating water distribution reservoirs in rural Andean areas: a methodological approach

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2020.163 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 309-319

Author(s):

Nadya Lizeth Serrano Abarca ◽

Welitom Ttatom Pereira da Silva

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Water Movement ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Pressure Control ◽

Supply System ◽

Water Supply System ◽

Mountainous Region

Abstract This study aimed to present a methodology for locating water distribution reservoirs in rural Andean areas (isolated areas, low-income population, mountainous region). The research methodology consisted of the following steps: (1) description of the problem; (2) development of the DR location protocol; (3) obtaining an algorithm; (4) calibration and adjustment; and (5) application. The obtained algorithm was based on the classification and overlapping operations of five-parameter maps (pressure limits – pressure in the water supply system from 5 to 40 mH2O; supply by gravity – guarantee of gravity as energy for water movement; accessibility – use of unprotected areas or with restricted occupation; stability, greater distance from geological fault; and, proximity to population concentration, shorter distance between population centres). The overlapping of these parameters enabled us to identify a region of candidate points and select the best location point for the reservoir. The algorithm was applied to a real case indicating satisfactory results. A methodology for locating water distribution reservoirs in rural areas that have important economic constraints, difficult access (mountainous region) and high geospatial dispersion was found. Improvements in methodological steps can still be considered, for example, forecasting the use of pressure control devices in the water supply system.

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Critical Factors for the Success of Rural Water Supply Services in Brazil

Water ◽

10.3390/w11102180 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2180

Author(s):

Anna V. M. Machado ◽

João A. N. dos Santos ◽

Norbertho da S. Quindeler ◽

Lucas M. C. Alves

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Water Supply ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Nominal Group Technique ◽

Nominal Group ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Water Quality Control ◽

Rural Water Supply ◽

Rural Water ◽

Water Supply Services

The universalization of drinking water in rural communities poses a great challenge to developing countries, where rural areas often receive poor water service coverage and limited attention from authorities. This scenario is the current reality in Brazil. The community management model of rural water services has proven to be a noteworthy approach to ensure the continuity of water supply where private and public entities do not operate. However, its sustainability depends on several aspects. The authors of the current paper performed a thorough review of relevant publications in the rural sanitation field of study using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) methodology, which enabled the creation of a list of essential factors capable to ensure the sustainability of Rural Water Supply Services (RWSS). Using the Nominal Group Technique with a selection of participants from a national conference held in Brazil in 2015, specialists hierarchized the factors, demonstrating their perception of the most important aspects necessary in RWSS throughout Brazil. Consequently, the authors noticed the necessity of a strong enabling environment, which recognizes small communities and their local services. Water quality control, post-construction support and the existence of a financial scheme were also pointed out as important aspects to ensure RWSS’s sustainability.

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Improving access to water supply and sanitation in urban India: microfinance for water and sanitation infrastructure development

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2008.671 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 58 (4) ◽

pp. 887-891 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jenna Davis ◽

Gary White ◽

Said Damodaron ◽

Rich Thorsten

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Low Income ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Sanitation Services ◽

Poor Households ◽

Access To Water ◽

Water And Sanitation Infrastructure ◽

Sanitation Infrastructure ◽

The City ◽

Water Supply And Sanitation

This article summarises initial findings of a study to explore the potential of providing micro-financing for low-income households wishing to invest in improved water supply and sanitation services. Through in-depth interviews with more than 800 households in the city of Hyderabad in India, we conclude that, even if provided with market (not concessional) rates of financing, a substantial proportion of poor households would invest in water and sewer network connections.

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Water and wastewater related issues in Sri Lanka

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2003.0661 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 47 (12) ◽

pp. 305-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

N.J.G.J. Bandara

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Ground Water ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Marine Pollution ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Agricultural Runoff ◽

Water And Wastewater

The primary problems concerning water resources in Sri Lanka are the depletion and degradation of the resource caused by various anthropogenic activities. Surface inland waters in urban areas are polluted heavily with domestic sewage and industrial effluents, and in rural areas with agricultural runoff. With regard to ground water in certain areas of the dry zone, there is a high fluoride content and in hard, rocky, alluvial areas, there is a high concentration of iron. In urban over-crowded cities, there is biological contamination of ground water. Over-utilization, particularly through tube wells, is another major problem affecting ground water resources in Sri Lanka. Oil spills, dumping of waste from ships, coral and sand mining, and industrial activities are the main causes of marine pollution in the country. Except for pipe-borne water supply, irrigation and hydropower schemes, in general water resources in Sri Lanka are managed very poorly. Regulations are available to control most water related problems but enforcement of these regulations is lacking. The ultimate result of degradation and depletion of water resources is the increasing health hazards. Water-borne and vector-borne diseases are prevalent, particularly amongst urban low-income communities with poor sanitary facilities and drainage. Despite government initiatives and legislation, very slow progress has been made towards combating water pollution. This paper examines the most significant water and wastewater related issues in Sri Lanka and their controlling mechanisms.

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Cultural and social accomplishments of agricultural companies as contributions to the development of rural areas

Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce ◽

10.19041/apstract/2009/3-4/4 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (3-4) ◽

pp. 21-23

Author(s):

Petra Maier ◽

Jaroslav Homolka ◽

Éva Darabos ◽

Ildikó Tikász ◽

Károly Pető ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Case Studies ◽

Human Resource ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Social Life

Agricultural companies play a key role in enriching the cultural and social life of the rural areas in which they function. Therefore, these companies serve towards preserving a quality of life necessary for rural communities to survive and to develop rural areas. However, the financial, human resource and material expenditures necessary to sustain rural communities are difficult to quantify. These studies, on the basis of internationally focused case studies, attempt to measure, systemize and evaluate the charitable engagement of farmers.

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Avaliação de água de poços tubulares para consumo humano no Município de Boa Vista, Paraíba

Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável ◽

10.18378/rvads.v11i5.3943 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 08

Author(s):

Débora Samara Cruz Rocha Farias ◽

Soahd Arruda Rached Farias ◽

José Dantas Neto

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Water Resources ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Underground Water ◽

Total Hardness ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Surface Water Resources ◽

Deep Wells ◽

Quality Of Water

Na Região do Semiárido nordestino a diminuição da disponibilidade dos recursos hídricos superficiais tem levado a população da zona rural a buscar, nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos, a solução de seus problemas de abastecimento, o que tem acarretado um crescimento no número de perfurações de poços tubulares profundos. O trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade de águas utilizadas para consumo humano em áreas rurais da região de Boa Vista, Paraíba. As amostras de água foram coletadas em poços tubulares, em dois períodos: 4º trimestre de 2014 e 2º trimestre de 2015. As variáveis avaliadas foram: pH, CE, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3 -, Cl, alcalinidade e dureza total e SDT. Das águas analisadas 94,55% são consideradas salgadas nas duas amostragens. Em sua maioria os teores de dureza, alcalinidade, cloreto, magnésio, sódio e potássio estão fora do limite estabelecido pela Portaria vigente no país. Com relação ao pH, as amostras se encontram dentro do padrão normal.Water quality for human consumption in rural communities in the municipality of Boa Vista, state ParaíbaAbstract: In the semi-arid northeastern region of decreasing availability of surface water resources has led to population from the countryside to look for underground water resources to solve their supply problems, which has led to an increase in the number of deep wells drilling. The study aimed to assess the quality of water used for human consumption in rural areas of the region Boa Vista, Paraíba. Water samples were collected from wells in two periods: 4th quarter 2014 and 2nd quarter of 2015. The variables evaluated were: pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3-, Cl, alkalinity and total hardness and TDS. 94.55% of the analyzed waters are considered cured in the two sampling. Mostly hardness levels, alkalinity, chloride, magnesium, sodium, potassium are beyond the limit set by current Ordinance in the country. Regarding the pH samples are within the normal pattern.

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Implementing integrated water resources management locally in rural catchments: Lessons from eastern Sudan

10.2166/9781789061628_0099 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 99-120

Author(s):

Khaled Mokhtar ◽

St John Day

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Supply ◽

Water Resources Management ◽

Water Resource Management ◽

Rainfall Variability ◽

Water Services ◽

Resources Management ◽

National Institutions ◽

Challenging Environment

Abstract Sudan is a vulnerable and challenging environment as a result of its climate, hydrology, and hydrogeology. Other entrenched human factors, such as authoritarian rule, limited historical investment in rural water services and the gradual decline of national institutions make it particularly difficult. This has manifested itself today into low levels of water supply coverage particularly amongst rural communities. Trust between rural communities in Kassala and government institutions has also declined for those left behind in rural hinterlands. Providing sustainable and resilient water services in rural Sudan is difficult work, not least because of high rainfall variability, inadequate infrastructure and the lack of continuous external support to communities when problems arise. This paper describes efforts to strengthen links between water resources management and WASH, and the challenges faced when national institutions responsible for water resources and water supply are weak. It documents recent efforts to ensure water supply services can provide water year round and increase collaboration between rural communities and mandated government authorities. It is intended to be read by government personnel, non-governmental organisations and other staff that are directly involved in implementing integrated water resource management programmes in complex environments.

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Ocho Balay: Design of a permanent typhoon shelter for the rural areas in the Philippines

Pollack Periodica ◽

10.1556/606.2020.15.2.20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 221-232

Author(s):

Rowell Ray Shih ◽

Danilo Ravina

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Case Studies ◽

Rural Areas ◽

The Philippines ◽

Interior Space ◽

Related Case ◽

Promising Solution ◽

Roof Design

Abstract:In 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, devastated several portions of the Philippines, which resulted in more than 7,000 deaths and thousands made homeless. The aim of this study is to propose a design of a permanent shelter as a continuation of the I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter, which was successfully deployed in 2014 and produce a transitional shelter prototype, for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. In order to develop the methodological design of the Permanent Shelter, the author presented several factors into consideration: the understanding how the rural communities use the present I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter; to further develop and improve the interior space of the shelter; to propose a better roof design; and to design a sustainable toilet and kitchen area for the users. Methodologies used in the study were the use of surveys and interactions with the community, which focuses on gaining the understanding how the communities use the present I-Siguro Daan Transitional Shelter. By exploring related case studies and literatures, site surveys and consultations with different groups, the resulting Permanent Shelter will a promising solution for improving the lives of the communities while also providing groundwork for future shelter related studies.

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