Successful water management? : a case study of the community-led approach used by Fass Chakho village, The Gambia

Abstract

Although the Gambia has attained its water target of the Millennium Development Goals, many people in the country are faced with the threat of water insecurity. This problem is more critical in the rural areas where several communities have defaulted from the private sector-led maintenance of water infrastructure arrangement in place due to the government rhetoric and support by donors to keep the water systems working. However, in the quest for an alternative arrangement of water infrastructure management, the traditional method of water management and security is explored. Such is the case at Fass Omar Chakho, a small community at the North Bank region of the Gambia. It uses people-led water management approach to ensure water security and efficiency in its management. While multilateral donors and government promotes the use of the private sector as community partners in managing their water infrastructure, the management approaches at Fass Omar Chakho offer a more appropriate and acceptable alternative for rural communities and a more efficient financial model, thus ensuring water security and sustainability for rural communities. The thesis proves that common property regime is a more viable financial model for community since it reinvests profit in the community, increases water output, has a higher community payment rates, upholds good governance and participation and is more culturally appropriate. Data collected from water management committee, opinion leaders, women and other participants at Fass about their perception, knowledge and practice as well as their track record on water management indicated that community-led approach is a cost effective, efficient, appropriate and acceptable alternative for rural communities. As a result of which, it ensures Water Security and sustainability because it is inclusive, relatively cheaper and takes into account the community dynamics in its decision making process thus ensures continuous availability of water.