Analysis of the methodology and indicators used in WPM in Liberia and SLE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the water point mapping tool, more specifically in the study cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone, identifying weaknesses and proposing improvements. The study was divided mainly in two parts – analysis of the methodology and evaluation of the indicators – and important improvements were identified. Although the water point mapping tool exist for more than 10 years and it is already proved to be very useful, it is a tool still being developed and enhanced. The parameters surveyed differ from one country to another, as well as the approach used to evaluate these parameters. The method lack an understanding of which are the key parameters that have to be surveyed and how it should be done. The data collected is not standardized and neither the nomenclature used by each person that add information in the databases. Additionally, the analysis based on the data collected is apparently superficial and the indicators calculated also vary from one country to another, making it difficult to make comparisons between them. This study describes these weaknesses and proposes improvements to overcome them, in order to contribute to the continuous improvement of the water point mapping tool.