Multiple-use Water Research Articles

Multiple-use water systems and rural livelihoods in north-western Ghana: adjusting to a failed hope

ABSTRACT This study examines the sustainability of multiple-use water systems (MUS) and the associated livelihood issues among women gardeners in north-western Ghana. Focus group discussions and observation techniques were used as part of a qualitative approach to data collection. We found that the MUS strategy has the ability to improve livelihoods. However, the viability of the strategy necessitates technical assistance and innovative fund-raising strategies. The MUS facility (the hope of the people) failed because these conditions were inadequate. Due to the beneficiaries’ worsening situation, alternative livelihoods were adopted, such as the migration of married women to southern Ghana, the production of charcoal and the harvesting of wild fruits.

A Comprehensive Review of the Multiple Uses of Water in Aquaculture-Integrated Agriculture Based on International and National Experiences

Multiple uses of water aquaculture-integrated agriculture systems (AIAS) are inevitable to produce more food per drop of water to address water shortage, food insecurity, and climate change. This survey intends to outline the multiple-use water in pond-based AIAS in light of legal regulations and water salinity. Scenarios for pond-based AIA and their impact on the environment were presented and discussed. Pond-based AIA has been demonstrated to have many social, economic, and environmental benefits. Moreover, international and national experiences and attempts for genuine applications were exhibited. Throughout, pond-based AIA farming practices are seen as a proficient utilization of water that aids food sustainability. It was concluded that pond-based AIA could aid in increasing productivity, income for food producers and soil fertility, ecosystem maintenance, and adaptation to environmental change. AIAS helps adapt to and mitigate climate change by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing pressure on water resources, and recycling nutrients. Finally, developing and promoting the expansion of rotation of wheat-fish and pond-based AIA in the desert and encouraging global collaboration for information and knowledge transfer among different countries were discussed.

Development, Current Status and Challenges of Multiple Use Water Systems in Nepal: A Review

Drinking water supply systems in Nepal, originally designed to meet domestic water needs, are currently being used to fulfill the multiple water needs beyond domestic use which created inefficiency, risking water shortage and even causing premature system failure and breakdown. International Development Enterprises (IDE) first implemented the scheme, which is referred, to as Multiple-Use Water Systems (MUWS) that addresses the productive as well as domestic water needs. The MUWS systems are implemented in middle hill districts of the western, mid-western and far-western development regions of Nepal. The onset point for MUWS is classified as domestic-plus in which users have access to water for productive uses but maintain the priority for domestic uses around homesteads; irrigation-plus in which, users can accommodate water for both productive and domestic uses but maintain the priority for irrigation uses; and community-driven in which communities and their existing water practices and priorities as a starting point for improvement, and offers technology choices designed for multiple uses. MUWS shows multiple benefits by ensuring water availability, enhanced economy and community involvement. However, the system faced challenges of water shortage during the lean period and unaffordable system connection fees and tariffs for the poor and marginalised. Properly planned, managed and regulated MUWS can be seen as one of the several potential adaptation options utilising scarce water for high-value and off-season crop production, more effectively and efficiently in the context of changing climate.

AQUACULTURE PRACTICES IN SMALL MULTIPLE-USE WATER BODIES IN ODISHA, INDIA

Small multiple-use freshwater resources are widely distributed across the country and used for aquaculture in a diverse way in addition to other use like irrigation, sanitations, navigation, etc. The paper makes an assessment of the state of aquaculture in these water bodies in Odisha. The study was conducted in two agro-climatic regions i.e. eastern hill and plateau region and eastern coastal plain regions in the state, covering 83 water bodies in 62 villages during 2011-2013. Various management and technological interventions for aquaculture development were assessed. The average productivity was found to be 317 kg/ha, which was significantly less compared to commercial aquaculture practices. There is considerable scope for increase of fish production through application of scientific aquaculture practices. Key words: Multiple-use water, aquaculture, aquaculture management, Odisha

Thinking beyond domestic water supply: approaches to advance multiple-use water systems (MUS) in the rural hills of Nepal

ABSTRACT The development of multiple-use water systems (MUS) in Nepal has mostly relied on international/non-governmental organizations. Despite the growing interest in MUS within the country, the approach has not yet received space in government policy and programmes, limiting its wider implementation. We seek to understand both the challenges to, and strategies for, scaling-up MUS, especially with regard to how MUS could be incorporated into Nepali institutional and policy processes arising from the adoption of a three-tier (federal, state and local) federal governance system. Our recommendations are informed by a study of MUS in the middle hills of Nepal.

Promoting multiple-use water services by leveraging existing rural water supply and smallholder farmer groups, Malawi

ABSTRACT Multiple-use water services (MUS) can enhance the benefits communities receive from the productive use of water. This article uses household surveys, water samples, focus groups and key informant interviews to examine the potential of MUS in northern Malawi. Specific attention is given to the role of existing rural water supply options and knowledge held by an established smallholder rice farmer group. The study finds that expanding MUS requires: (1) forming MUS coalitions between communities, NGOs and business associations; (2) identifying appropriate MUS practices and markets; (3) undertaking community and water availability assessments; and (4) designing services aligned with these assessments.

Development of protective measures providing environmental safety in areas affected by water-intake constructions of urban households

The article represents the results of integrated studies of development of protective measures providing environmental safety in areas affected by water-intake technological complexes as a technological component of specified type of natural-technical systems (NTS) ‘natural aqueous medium – water intake technological complex – multiple-use water supply system’ (NAS-WITC-MUSS) concerned with a stable residential water supply of urban households.

Does Rural Water System Design Matter? A Study of Productive Use of Water in Rural Nepal

In Nepal, rural water systems (RWS) are classified by practitioners as single-use domestic water systems (SUS) or multiple-use water systems (MUS). In the rural hills of Nepal, subsistence farming communities typically use RWS to support income-generating productive activities that can enhance rural livelihoods. However, there is limited research on the extent of existing productive activity and the factors enabling these activities. This paper examines the extent of water-related productive activities and the factors driving these activities based on a study, undertaken between October 2017 to June 2018, of 202 households served from five single-use domestic water systems and five multiple use water systems in the mid-hills of Nepal. The research found that a majority (94%) of these households engaged in two or more productive activities including growing vegetables and horticulture crops, raising livestock, and producing biogas and Rakshi (locally-produced alcohol), regardless of the system design, i.e., SUS vs. MUS. Around 90% of the households were engaged in productive activities that contributed to over 10% of their mean annual household income ($4,375). Since the SUS vs. MUS classification was not found to be a significant determinant of the extent of productive activity, the households were reclassified as having high or low levels of productive activity based on the quantity of water used for these activities and the associated earned income. A multinomial logistic regression model was developed to measure the relative significance of various predictors of high productive activity households. Five dominant predictors were identified: households that farm as a primary occupation, use productive technologies, are motivated to pursue productive activities, have received water-related productive activity training, and have received external support related to productive activities. Whereas MUS are designed for productive activity, nearly every household in SUS communities was involved in productive activities making them ‘de-facto’ MUS. These results challenge the current approach to rural water provision that views SUS and MUS as functionally different services.

Understanding the non-institutionalization of a socio-technical innovation: the case of multiple-use water services (MUS) in Nepal

ABSTRACTMultiple-use water services (MUS) have been promoted and piloted globally for two decades as a socio-technical innovation. Yet the MUS approach has hardly extended beyond donor-funded projects to public policies. We use a collective action framework to analyze the non-institutionalization of MUS in Nepal. We find that MUS has much cognitive legitimacy, but discourse fragmentation has reduced its socio-political legitimacy. Yet the latter is essential to overcome the institutional challenges of a fragmented public water sector and to mainstream MUS into policy debate.

Water at the Centre of Poverty Reduction: Targeting Women as a Stepping Stone in the Nadowli District, Ghana

Poverty reduction has been a challenge in developing countries, pushing many development partners to devise strategies to tackle it. One of such strategies is the provision of water services. Although there has been much focus on water provision, the practice and benefits of integrating multiple-use water services in the design and implementation have been underexplored. This paper argues for the role of multiple-use water services in reducing rural poverty, especially among women. This is based on a case study that was conducted in two communities in the Upper West Region where multipleuse water services have been provided. Data was collected using focus groups discussion mainly with water user associations who are made up of women only, survey of 26 households, and physical observations of the water infrastructure and activities around the infrastructure. We found that access to water services saved time in water collection and contributed to increase household productive hours. Consequently, this resulted in increased output in their economic activities with positive ripple effects on other sectors of the rural economy, leading to poverty reduction as indicated by the participants. It is argued that investing in multiple-use water services is a major way of empowering women to actively engage in multiple streams of income and thus a great potential for achieving the sustainable development goals.Keywords: Multiple-use Water Services, Household Livelihood, Rural Women, Poverty, Ghana

Using irrigation to kick-start multiple-use water services for small-scale farmers in Malawi: A case study of the Nkhata Bay District

Using irrigation to kick-start multiple-use water services for small-scale farmers in Malawi: A case study of the Nkhata Bay District

Drivers of microbiological quality of household drinking water – a case study in rural Ethiopia

This study aims at assessing the determinants of microbiological contamination of household drinking water under multiple-use water systems in rural areas of Ethiopia. For this analysis, a random sample of 454 households was surveyed between February and March 2014, and water samples from community sources and household storage containers were collected and tested for fecal contamination. The number of Escherichia coli (E. coli) colony-forming units per 100 mL water was used as an indicator of fecal contamination. The microbiological tests demonstrated that 58% of household stored water samples and 38% of protected community water sources were contaminated with E. coli. Moreover, most improved water sources often considered to provide safe water showed the presence of E. coli. The result shows that households' stored water collected from unprotected wells/springs had higher levels of E. coli than stored water from alternative sources. Distance to water sources and water collection containers are also strongly associated with stored water quality. To ensure the quality of stored water, the study suggests that there is a need to promote water safety from the point-of-source to point-of-use, with due considerations for the linkages between water and agriculture to advance the Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ensuring access to clean water for everyone.

A General Micro-Level Modeling Approach to Analyzing Interconnected SDGs: Achieving SDG 6 and More through Multiple-Use Water Services (MUS)

The 2030 agenda presents an integrated set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets that will shape development activities for the coming decade. The challenge now facing development organizations and governments is how to operationalize this interconnected set of goals and targets through effective projects and programs. This paper presents a micro-level modeling approach that can quantitatively assess the impacts associated with rural water interventions that are tailored to specific communities. The analysis focuses on how a multiple-use water services (MUS) approach to SDG 6 could reinforce a wide range of other SDGs and targets. The multilevel modeling framework provides a generalizable template that can be used in multiple sectors. In this paper, we apply the methodology to a dataset on rural water services from Mozambique to show that community-specific equivalents of macro-level variables used in the literature such as Cost of Illness (COI) avoided can provide a better indication of the impacts of a specific intervention. The proposed modeling framework presents a new frontier for designing projects in any sector that address the specific needs of communities, while also leveraging the knowledge gained from previous projects in any country. The approach also presents a way for agencies and organizations to design projects or programs that bridge sectors/disciplines (water, irrigation, health, energy, economic development, etc.) to advance an interconnected set of SDGs and targets.

Women, Wealth and Waterborne Disease: Smallholders’ Willingness to Pay for a Multiple-Use Water Scheme in Ethiopia

This article identifies factors which contribute to households’ willingness to pay for improving and protecting a multiple-use water scheme in Ethiopia. It does so through descriptive statistics, a probit model and contingent valuation methods complemented with qualitative data. Estimates suggest farmers’ willingness to pay is based on gender, the prevalence of waterborne disease, the time to collect water, contact with extension services, access to credit, level of income and location. Respondents would pay 3.43 per cent of average income to participate. Consideration of how gendered norms influence women’s access to extension, credit and local markets could extend the benefits of such schemes.

Determinants of Household Drinking Water Quality in Rural Ethiopia

Safe and adequate water supply is a vital element to preserve human health; however, access to clean water is limited in many developing countries. Furthermore, improved water sources are often contaminated with fecal matters and consumption of unsafe water poses a great public health risk. This study seeks to identify determinants of microbial contamination of household drinking water under multiple-use water systems in rural areas of Fogera and Mecha districts of Ethiopia. In this analysis, a random sample of 454 households was surveyed from February to March 2014, and water samples from community sources and storage containers were collected and tested for fecal contamination. The number of Escherichia coli (E.coli) colony forming units per 100ml (cfu/100ml) water was used as an indicator of fecal contamination. The results show that 50% of households used protected water sources, 38% used unprotected wells/ spring and 12% used surface water sources. However, water microbiological tests demonstrated that 58% of household storage water samples and 74% of water sources were contaminated with E.coli. After controlling for household sanitary factors, high level of E.coli bacteria colonies were observed in unprotected water compared to surface water and protected wells/springs sources. To ensure the quality and safety of water stored in the household, our findings suggest that point-of-use water treatment, safe water handling and storage, proper hygiene practices such as washing hands after critical times and proper disposal of household garbage should be promoted. On-site water wells should be properly designed to prevent seepage from unhygienic household pit latrine. Furthermore, community water sources should be adequately protected and sanitary measures should be undertaken regularly to reduce contamination from human and animal waste.

Crescimento de tambaqui em resposta a densidade de estocagem em tanques-rede

O tambaqui Colossoma macropomum é criado em diferentes sistemas e ambientes com boa produção em tanques-rede. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento do tambaqui em diferentes densidades de estocagem em tanques-rede em lago abastecido com água de chuva e seus efeitos sobre a qualidade ambiental. O experimento foi conduzido em fases consecutivas: recria nas densidades de 50, 100, 200 e 300 alevinos m-3 e terminação nas densidades de 20, 40, e 60 juvenis m-3. A temperatura da água, oxigênio dissolvido, pH e condutividade da água foram medidas diariamente. Amostras de sedimento e água foram coletadas para análise de nitrogênio e fósforo mensalmente. Na recria, a produção de 14,03 kg m-3 foi significativamente maior na densidade de 300 alevinos m-3. O maior peso final foi obtido na densidade de 50 alevinos m-3. A sobrevivência na recria foi superior a 97%. Na terminação, o ganho de peso e o crescimento específico foram inversamente proporcionais as densidades. A conversão alimentar e o fator de condição não foram influenciados pelas densidades testadas. A densidade de 20 juvenis m-3 é a mais adequada para a terminação de tambaquis em tanques-rede. A criação de tambaqui em tanques-rede não alterou os níveis de nitrogênio e fósforo da água do lago. Aumento dos teores de matéria orgânica, nitrogênio e fósforo foram verificados no sedimento abaixo dos tanques-rede, sem causar eventos de eutrofização. O presente estudo demonstrou que a criação de tambaquis em tanques-rede é viável em lagos abastecidos com água de chuva e pode integrar-se aos preceitos dos usos múltiplos da água.

Optimal system operation of the drops-cascading Konto system, Indonesia

A cascading multiple-use water system in the Konto River Basin, Indonesia, has been examined to assess the cumulative benefits of water uses where water is sequentially used in three hydropower plants and then in an irrigation system from an upstream reservoir. Using a hydro-economic modeling, optimal water allocation among the users was explored, considering appropriate environmental flows (EFs) as well. Tradeoffs between benefit maximization and environmental protection at the basin scale benefits due to different provisions of EFs were examined. Estimates indicate that the current operation mode, not considering EF in the mainstream of the Konto, generates an annual maximum benefit of US$ 16.281 million from the perspective of direct water uses; however, ensuring environmental water requirements in the current operation mode will cost about US$ 1.067 million annually. Such analyses will help in running the Konto system in a sustainable pattern and in other places with similar conditions.

Using Every Drop – Experiences of Good Local Water Governance and Multiple-use Water Services for Food Security in Far-western Nepal

This paper describes tools and lessons learned in operationalizing the principles of good local water governance and mult ple- use water services for food security in mid- and far-western Nepal. In these poor, water-scarce and food-insecure regions, the Rural Village Water Resources Management Project has shown that integrated water resources management for both blue and green water is a must. Water use master plans (WUMPs) and a participatory step-by-step approach, both backed up by a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) strategy, ensure appropriate and fair use of scarce water resources. Multiple-use water services (MUS) maximize livelihoods opportunities in a difficult environment.

Exploring the Textured Landscape of Water Insecurity and the Human Right to Water

he last decade has seen historic advances in the formal establishment of the human right to water and global agreements on development goals that target improved access to water and sanitation. How...

Lisrel Analysis of Factors for Empowering Producers to Abolish Livelihood Poverty through Optimizing Agricultural Water Resources Management

Problem Statement: Most of the projected increase in global population will take place in third world countries that already suffer from water, food, and health problems. Irrigation in developing countries tends to be stereotyped as equity reducing, in competition with other uses for scarce water resources. Agricultural intensification through the practice of irrigation as a strategy for poverty reduction is examined. Water users were surveyed in order to explore their perception about the factors influencing the optimizing water consumption in agricultural sectors in Iran. This study looks into water-poverty interfaces as well as into approaches to and tools of, managing water in such a manner that water sector activities can contribute to alleviation of poverty. In addition, this study aims to empower water users with information on agricultural wastewater. Approach: The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research. The total population was 350 producers in six provinces in Iran. Results: Based on the perception of the respondents and ordinal factor analysis, the factors were categorized into four group’s namely technical and practical, recognition and managing water equipment and constructive ordered by the magnitude of their impact. The total variance explained by these 4 factors is 54.27% as effective mechanisms in optimizing agricultural water resources management. Structural equation model is expected to be useful for designing targeted optimizing agricultural water resources management and poverty alleviation strategies that also enhance agricultural-productivity growth. Conclusion/Recommendations: Where there is equity in resource distribution, the impact of improved water management on agricultural productivity growth has been more poverty reducing. Using water better means improving the productivity of agricultural water in both irrigated and rainfed systems, through multiple-use water system, integrated water resources planning, and targeted research.