Developing information systems in the water and sanitation sector

Abstract

Describes the findings of assignments carried out on behalf of the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) and concerned with the development of information systems in the water supply and sanitation sector in Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and the Philippines. Four areas of information activity in the sector have been identified: Project and Sector Information; Management Information Systems; Technical Information Exchange; and Public Information and Promotion. Discusses the information situation in the water and sanitation sector in the four countries in terms of: information users and their needs; the supply of information; organizational structure; manpower; information resources; accommodation and equipment; finance; technical operations; and information products and services. Concludes that the importance of developing information systems in the water sector seems to have been seriously neglected, both by national government and donor agencies. There is a need to improve the quality and level of support for information activities in the sector from external support agencies.