Collective responsibility and community-based organizations: identification of social reasons behind dysfunctional rural water supply schemes

Using the canon of qualitative research methods this study aimed at answering the pertinent question as to why rural water supply schemes become dysfunctional over a period of time and as a consequence bring untold problems in the lives of common people. The management of rural water supply schemes is a global challenge but it becomes more grievous in developing countries. An appropriate solution proposed global to cater to this problem is engaging Community based organizations (CBOs). However, CBOs too have limited capacity for implementing and monitoring all water supply schemes in the province of Punjab, with the result that around 45% remain non-operational. Using the case study method 5 villages of district Jhelum were selected and interviews were conducted with Community Based Motivators (CBMs) and chairpersons of CBOs. The content analysis of data gathered from these interviews yielded results that revealed the reasons behind the deterioration of water supply schemes. It was found that the most common reason behind the non-functioning was the execution of water supply schemes without need assessment of the areas, political pressure, community clash, theft of the engineering equipment and financial embezzlement issues. These dysfunctional water supply schemes lead to negative consequences, but they fall majorly in three categories; waterborne diseases, lack of water for sanitation and washing purposes, and fetching/ purchasing of drinking water. It can be concluded from the study that the idea of handing over of the rural water supply schemes to local people and their representatives like CBOs for operational purpose is not erroneous or less useful. There were several other socio-political reasons that conspired to have damage the rural water supply systems beyond its utility. Keywords: Rural water supply schemes, Community based organizations, Political pressure on CBOs, Water.