Role of Community Based Organizations in Sustainability of Community Managed Rural Water Supply Schemes

Abstract

Sustainability of community-managed rural water supply schemes (CM-RWSS) is a major challenge in rural settings. The functioning of community-based organizations (CBO) influences the functionality of CM-RWSS. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the role of CBOs in the sustainability of RWSS in the Gujranwala division in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The study was cross-sectional in nature and adopted the quantitative research approach. The data was collected from the beneficiaries of RWSS at the household level. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted. The districts for the study were selected purposively since they have more RWSS as compared to other districts. The six functional RWSS schemes were randomly selected from the Gujranwala division. An interview schedule was structured to collect data from the water users. Data was entered, summarized, and analyzed using SPSS version 22. A linear regression test was applied to assess the impact of CBOs' functioning on the satisfaction of water users. The study concluded that CBOs at community level were performing their role adequately to ensure the sustainability of water supply schemes. It was also indicated that water provided through these schemes was of good quality and adequate to meet community members' needs. It was also concluded that the functioning of CBOs was the initial, major, and significant source of quality water availability and RWSS sustainability.