Quality and sustainability aspects in water access indicators: an example from Same District, Tanzania

Abstract

Vital aspects in water supply, such as quality and reliability (or vulnerability) of the service have been overlooked up to date in the definition of the term 'Access' when used as a sector indicator. As a rule, governments at all levels are ignoring them and no investments are made accordingly. This paper describes the experience of the Spanish NGO Ingeniería Sin Fronteras (Engineering Without Borders) on considering both aspects in a pilot project implemented in Same rural District, Tanzania. Based on the water point mapping methodology, basic water quality tests were included during the campaign and seasonality questions were also processed. The study aims to provide an example of to which extent improved water points do provide safe water; while considering year round functionality as a key aspect if the service wants to be sustainable. New indicators are proposed and results discussed. Last section concludes providing information on the opportunities, costs and challenges of including this additional information when access indicators are to be used.