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Abstract:
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The Government of Malawi through the Ministry responsible for water affairs is responsible for the provision of safe water and improved sanitation and promotion of hygiene practices. The sector aims to ensure that all people have convenient access to water in sufficient quantity and of acceptable quality for basic use and that adequate sanitation is provided to all households and individuals for improved health. The National Water Policy (2005) recognizes that management of the water facilities could best be done at the lowest appropriate level possible. In this respect, Local Authorities (LAs) and communities are to be involved in all stages of the implementation cycle from needs identification, choice of technology and levels of service, design, construction, mobilization of contribution towards capital costs and operation and maintenance through management of the systems. These Guidelines have been prepared, primarily, to guide the implementation of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme in Malawi. The guidelines mainly focus on the Local Authority and the institutions at both district and community levels especially the District Coordinating Team (DCT) that has been assigned by the Local Authority to plan and manage the rural water supply and sanitation component of the National Water Development Programme (NWDP). The Guidelines will provide LAs and various stakeholders including District Coordinating Teams (DCTs) with an overview of the WSSP and outline what is involved in implementing water supply and sanitation programme, how it is done and who does what. The Guidelines will serve as reference in the implementation of WSSP. The users of the Guidelines may range from community, district, Non-Governmental Organizations to development partners. It is expected that the users will find these Guidelines very useful in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WSSP at all levels. These Guidelines shall be used alongside other water and sanitation sector policies, strategy documents, guidelines and manuals such as the following: a) Malawi Growth & Development Strategy; b) National Sanitation Policy; c) National Water Policy; d) Implementation Manual for Piped Water Supply Systems and Point Water Sources; e) WUA formation guidelines f) Various Technical Manuals for training and construction of water and sanitation systems/facilities |