ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM KILTEAWLAELO, ETHIOPIA

In the world, almost one in every ten people is without access to an improved potable and safe drinking water source. In Africa especially in sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected regions than other regions of the world. According to many research reports and documents the rural populations have less accessibility of safe and potable drinking water. Due to lack of safe and clean water and poor hygiene conditions many poor children are dying every day. The community participation is paramount important for sustainable rural water supply schemes. The government and other non-government organizations have been implementing different water supply schemes but they are unable to achieve their desirable goals due to different reasons. The main objective of this study was to assess the community participation in implementation of rural water supply schemes. This study used descriptive survey design. The multistage simple random sampling was used to obtain 255 household heads and 10 water users committee representing 10 water sources. The findings show that community participation was less very in the planning process which is very important, monitoring of the water supply schemes construction, contributing operation and maintenance charges. It is also found that water user committees? also low participation in the management of water supply schemes. It is concluded that due to poor socioeconomic conditions of the households they are not able to contribute to meet operation and maintenance charges. The selection of complicated technology has negative impacts on community participation in implementation of rural water supply schemes. To be successful of the any projects and schemes, participatory identifying and planning process are very crucial. Therefore, the study recommends that the concern agencies and officials should emphasis on community mobilization, and create awareness among the community.