Water supply in small towns Of associations advisors

Water supply in small towns : Of associations & advisors in Mali

Small towns – are either rural settlements that can informally manage their water supply, or small urban centers with systems that require a more formal mode of management ; – sufficiently large and dense to benefit from the economies of scale offered by piped systems – but too small and dispersed to be efficiently managed by a conventional urban water utility. – In Mali, small towns range in population between 2 000 and 20 000 people ; the systems require an autonomous source of power

A tale of six towns l The ws systems in six towns were rehabilitated in 1996 after 10 years of de facto community management – Diesel generators ; concrete water tower ; standpipes and house connections – Associations created in each of the 6 towns: Bankass, Douentza, Djenné, Kangaba, Koro, Nara – A management advisory unit (CCAEP) was set up within a project funded by Kf. W

Estimated consumption (litres / day / capita)

To explain this success… What l Legislative changes and institutional set up l Performance indicators l Working principles and the paradox l Prospects for scaling up

Sharing role & resposabilities State level Local authorities “ownership ” O&M Major repairs Management advice Financial audits The CCEAP was created as part of a pilot project ; and there are ongoing efforts to privatise it. Associations Private sector

Management, operation, and regulation l You've got UA – a mayor, – manager & – a mechanic. The CCAEP is mandated by the State to assist User Associations (UA) ; l UAs pay them 0, 03 Euros per cubic meter of water produced l CCAEP

CCAEP A management advisory unit (MAU) l Daily contact using short wave radios keeps the clientconsultant relationship alive. Production data is relayed to the MAU ; if need be a seasoned mecanic is on hand. This is not a maintenance contract. The MAU does not perform repairs but responds, at a distance and in real time over the radio, to the querries of pump operators. l Conducts technical training for the plumbers and mechanics, and management training for the executive members of the WUA. l Audits the accounts twice a year making performance indicators available to the WUA, governement staff and to local governements.

Cost sharing. Aid & credit State Budget Local contribution Feasibility studies Construction Rehabilitation Management peration & maintenance Renewal Extension Monitoring Debt servicing Cost sharing agreement Tariff Sale of water

How to account for this l Less wastage of fuel and overpricing Fuel has ceased to go astray ; bills no longer bear an inflated price ; timely preventive maintenance makes the engiens run more smoothly l Optimising use of production capacity: – People consume water more days in the year ; – or more water per day person ; – or people abandon alternative sources and a greater number of people buy water from the piped system

Paying professionals to provide timely advice & financial control l has cut down-time from several days to several hours & reduced the cost of repairs – a large number of breakdowns are solved over the radio – spare parts can be ordered and “courriered” by bush taxi to the WUA l avoids false billing and theft of savings

Yearend endresults(euros) per town (euros)

The paradox l an additional charge of 20 fcfa/ m³ of water produced has reduced the per unit cost of production (on average for 9 small towns, over 5 years) l the cost of producing water has gone from 0, 65 to 0, 30 euros – despite a 50 % devaluation in 1994 – inflation estimated @ 5% – i. e. in real terms, by a factor of 4

Per unit cost of production (average for 6 towns) Savings related to good management

Lower per unit costs through l Preventive maintenance and tight financial control l spreading fixed costs over a larger volume of water. – On average, the quantity of water produced has increased sixfold over five years. – Selling all that water makes better use of existing capacity and helps pay for fixed capital costs. – On a per unit basis, the portion allotted for fixed cost is reduced and total per unit costs drops below the price people pay.

Safeguarding savings l Savings are safely tucked away and protected against fraud and mishaps – Closing the books every 6 months – Double signature on accounts l Savings are sufficient to cover the cost of all electric and mechanical equipment with a life span of less than 8 years

Preparing for private sector involvement l The CCAEP is being privatised – but not without the resistance that go with a shift in power – without a sufficient number of potential clients – without a clear status that will allow it to carry out its monitoring mandate (a state responsibility)

But unpaid water bills remain a problem! Outstanding charge to be paid by type of user (in 1000 FCFA)