Republic of Ethiopia (2004) EPA Integrated environmental and social impact assessment guidelines water supply

Republic of Ethiopia (2004) EPA Integrated environmental and social impact assessment guidelines water supply


The Federal
Environmental Protection Au-

thority

Integrated Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment Guidelines Water Supply

NOT FOR CITATION

This guidelines is still under development and shall be bin-
ding after consensus is reached between the Environmen-
tal Protection Authority and the Environmental Units of
Competent Sectoral Agencies

2004


Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

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2


Table of Contents
Page

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................1

1. MAJOR TYPES OF INTERVENTION IN THE WATER SUPPLY SUB-SECTOR............1

2. SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A WATER SUPPLY PROJECT.....................2

3. MAJOR ISSUES RELATED TO A WATER SUPPLY PROJECT..............................4

4. POTENTIAL IMPACTS, ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES.. . .5

4.1 POVERTY.......................................................................................................................5
4.2 ENVIRONMENT...............................................................................................................6
4.3 POPULATION.................................................................................................................9
4.4 HEALTH OUTCOMES....................................................................................................11
4.5 GENDER......................................................................................................................13
4.6 PARTICIPATION............................................................................................................14

5. EXTERNAL FACTORS.......................................................................................................15

6. HAZARD MANAGEMENT.................................................................................................15

7. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING...................................................16

8. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READINGS................................................................18

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Introduction

These guidelines focus on rural and urban water supply projects for human needs.

They do not cover water supply for agriculture, livestock, forestry or fisheries, as this

issue is discussed in the other sectoral guidelines such as Irrigation, Livestock and

Rangeland Management, Forestry and Fisheries.

These guidelines highlight major issues and potential impacts that should be taken

into account during the preparation and assessment phases. The appropriate en-

hancement and mitigation measures should be integrated as early as possible,

preferably in the project design.

1. Major Types of Intervention in the Water Supply Sub-Sector

Any types of intervention in the water supply sub-sector shall be undertaken through

an integrated water resources management approach. In the case of water supply

for human consumption, there are two categories of intervention: (i) rural water sup-

ply and (ii) urban and peri-urban water supply.

Rural water supply

Rural water supply can be ensured from groundwater, surface water or rainwater. To

meet the demand, the three resources can also be used simultaneously. In general,

rural water systems are decentralised and rarely include piped distribution systems.

Most often the beneficiaries participate in the development process, assist in the

construction of the system and become responsible for its operation and mainten-

ance.

Drilled wells and spring tapings are typical decentralised groundwater systems. Sur-

face water supply systems can include small impoundment works (normally earth

dams). Rainwater systems can be supplied by a natural catchment on non-perennial

streams or by using cisterns (ranging from buckets and barrels up to closed tanks

made of concrete, sheet steel or plastic) with associated intercepting and collecting

surfaces (roofs, sealed slopes, etc.).

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The predominant method for conveying water between the points of intake and con-

sumption sites is using portable containers transported generally by girls and women

or by animal traction.

Urban and peri-urban water supply

Urban water supply systems consist of facilities for meeting the water requirements

of urban inhabitants, administrations, businesses and industries. The distribution of

the water may be achieved with piped systems or non-piped supply points (e.g.

wells).

In general, an urban water supply layout includes the following components:

 intake (wells, infiltration galleries, spring tapings, intake structures, storage

basins/reservoirs);

 treatment (e.g. metal removal, disinfection, desalination);

 storage of the treated water;

 transmission system (long-distance supply facilities);

 distribution system (piped network);

 wastewater installations (collection, treatment, disposal).

2. Specific Characteristics of a Water Supply Project

The description and justification of a water supply project shall cover at least the fol-

lowing elements:

 Spatial requirements (right-of-way and other sites required for works).

 Project layout characteristics (including site location map).

 Land tenure and ownership.

 Existing water uses and rights.

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 Affected groups (directly or indirectly).

 Resettlement requirements and proposed transition and compensation means.

 Stakeholders’ water uses, demands and needs, distance to water points, etc.

 Socio-cultural factors or constraints, such as customs and beliefs.

 Natural and human resources requirements.

 Sources of water and justification.

 Water treatment, storage, transmission and distribution systems.

 Wastewater installations.

 Temporary (during construction) and permanent infrastructures.

 Existing and proposed location of human settlements and public services such as

health centres and accident and emergency units.

 Construction activities (land clearing, burning, excavation, blasting, extracting,

filling, compacting, waterways crossing, use of heavy machinery, etc.).

 Anticipated liquid, solid (including waste) and gaseous emissions, and sources of

nuisances (at construction and operation stages).

 Construction schedules and costs.

 Maintenance works and associated costs.

 Water conservation and management (users organisation, fees/tariffs, revenue

allocation, etc.)

 Means of preventing contamination.

 Consultation approaches and participation mechanisms.

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3. Major Issues Related to a Water Supply Project

The main issues related to water supply projects can be summarised as follows:

Crosscutting Theme Major Issues Relevant

or not

Poverty  Economic activity, employment and incomes.

 Operations profitability.

 Access to benefits for the poor and other vulnerable
groups.

 Skill and knowledge requirements and education.

 Access to drinking water.

Environment  Ecologically sensitive areas.

 Wastewater and water quality.

 Use of water.

 Soils dynamics.

 Heritage and cultural sites.

Population  Quality of life.

 Land and water rights and uses.

 Water resources management.

Health Outcomes  Water related, water borne, water contact and water
washed diseases.

 HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

Gender  Women’s workload and time allocation.

 Control over land and land use proceeds.

 Income-generating activities and available income.

 Women’s needs and demands.

 Women’s involvement in decision-making processes.

Participation  Participation of affected groups in consultations.

 Community involvement in water management.

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4. Potential Impacts, Enhancement and Mitigation Measures
The potential impacts outlined below are presented by crosscutting theme (one table per theme) to clearly identify the potential in -
teractions between a water supply project and a specific transversal issue. The components considered under each crosscutting
theme were selected for their relevance to the particular issue.

4.1 Poverty

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Economy  Increase in local development and employment.
 Constraints for water suppliers to meet profitability ob-

jectives.
 Exclusion of specific groups from water facilities bene-

fits.
 Disruption of economic activities, particularly if they

represent potential sources of water contamination.
 Decrease in water prices for those who were buying

from resellers.
 Increase in water prices, in particular when no user

fees were in place before the project.

 Give preference to local employment (men and women) and local inputs (food, basic ma-
terial) to the extent possible.

 Base profitability projections on conservative revenue assumptions.
 Identify why specific groups are not benefiting from the project and adopt corrective meas-

ures as required.
 Ensure that the poor and other vulnerable groups can continue to safely satisfy their basic

water needs.
 Take into account the capacity to pay of men and women when determining user fees.
 Offer alternative income opportunities to men and women having a limited access to or

loosing productive means.

Information,
education and
communication

 Development of skills in water conservation and man-
agement.

 Exclusion of specific groups from the water manage-
ment processes due to a lack of knowledge.

 Lack of training of workers in charge of water system
operations/exploitation.

 Lack of awareness on the importance of hygiene at
water points.

 Assist groups of individuals, men and women, who may lack the capacity to participate in
water management processes.

 Provide water suppliers and workers, men and women, with the training required to pre-
serve water resources and to offer reliable water services.

 Develop and implement a literacy program especially aimed at poor people and women.
 Provide education to men and women on hygienic conditions and water conservation, tak-

ing into consideration gender roles and responsibilities.
 Inform men and women on potential project benefits for the community and identify indi-

vidual behaviours that would contribute to achieve those benefits.

Access to infra-
structures and
services

 Better access to drinking water.
 Decreased pressure on health services due to a re-

duction in the prevalence of certain diseases.
 Increased water demand leading to insufficient ser-

vices to satisfy basic water needs.
 Unreliable water service and/or quality.
 Inappropriate water storage facilities causing water

contamination.

 Ensure adequate water supply for addressing the effective demands of the host and mi-
grant populations.

 Develop alternative options to palliate for service breakdowns.
 Establish regular controls and maintenance activities to improve the reliability of the sys-

tem.
 Involve the population (men and women) in the management of new and improved ser-

vices to ensure their sustainability.
 Implement water fees/tariffs and other demand management measures to avoid the

wastage of water or over-consumption.
 Establish quality control for water supply and storage facilities.

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4.2 Environment

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Air  Degradation of air quality by dust and
vehicles emissions.

 Increase in ambient noise.
 Odours from sludge disposal operations.

 Install and operate air pollution control equipment, as needed
 Near the residential areas, avoid noisy works after regular working hours.
 Maintain vehicles and machinery in good condition in order to minimise

gas emissions and noise.
 Use dust and noise attenuators such as vegetation hedges along trans-

port corridors in order to minimise noise and the aerial transport of dust.
 Recover sludge with lime or earth at disposal sites.

Water  Interruption of surface water flows during
construction.

 Variation in the level of groundwater table
resulting from changes in the drainage.

 Contamination of surface and underground
water quality by wastewater and hazardous
materials, including stored chemicals products
used for raw water treatment.

 Risk of water pollution as a result of dis-
charge of wastewater and filter-washing wa-
ters.

 Risk of eutrophisation of the water body re-
ceiving wastewater discharge.

 Over-pumping of groundwater.
 Saline intrusion in coastal area.

 Do not hamper drainage of surface water and plan for restoration meas-
ures after construction.

 Do not establish sewer lines in stream channels.
 Plan and set up on-site sanitary facilities for the disposal of wastewater.
 Maintain vehicles, machinery and equipment in good condition in order to

avoid leaks and spill of hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chemical
products, etc.).

 Ensure a safe management of hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chem-
ical products, etc.).

 Take all precautions during the refuelling of vehicles and machinery, and
forbid the refuelling near water bodies.

 Avoid crossing permanent waterways; if necessary, locate the crossing
where the banks are stable and the waterway the most narrow.

 Conserve the vegetation along water bodies and near wetlands.
 Plan emergency response measures in case of accidental spill.
 Favour the recycling of filter-washing waters.
 Plan the discharge of wastewater in accordance with the absorbing capa-

city of the receiving water body.
 Adjust the annual pumped water volumes in accordance with the aquifer

annual refill.

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Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Soil  Runoff erosion resulting in sedimentation
problems.

 Change in the local topography.
 Contamination of soils from spilling of haz-

ardous materials.
 Landslides and other types of soil move-

ments in the works areas.
 Soil compaction and erosion.
 Reduction of soil fertility.
 Soil destabilisation as a result of excavation.
 In limestone areas, risk of soil collapsing due

to the creation of underground cavities follow-
ing groundwater over-pumping.

 Risk of soil contamination as a result of
wastewater leaks from treatment basins and
sludge mismanagement.

 Avoid areas sensitive to erosion.
 Carry out the construction works in the dry season.
 Favour the establishment of water supply infrastructures on low-product-

ive soils.
 Limit the circulation of heavy machinery to minimal areas.
 Avoid establishing access roads along steep slopes; instead, locate ac-

cess roads perpendicularly or diagonally to the slope.
 Use existing borrow pits rather than creating new ones; after the works,

restore borrow pits by stabilising slopes and facilitating vegetation regener-
ation.

 Stabilise the soils in order to reduce potential erosion.
 At the end of construction works, level off the soils and facilitate vegeta-

tion re-generation.
 Lay down water transmission and distribution systems on surface of ad-

equate support capacity.
 Adjust the annual pumped water volumes in accordance with the aquifer

annual refill capacity.
 Design wastewater treatment facilities taking into account the long term

projected volumes of wastewater.
 Implement good sludge management practices (e.g. burning, lime applica-

tion or earth covering) guaranteeing human and animal health protection.
Ecosystems  Encroachment into ecologically sensitive and

protected areas.

 Draining of wetlands.

 Reduction of the biodiversity.

 Design the water conveyance layout and wastewater management sys-
tems taking into account ecologically sensitive and protected areas.

 Establish a perimeter of protection around water catchment areas and
sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and unique habitats sheltering en-
dangered species.

 Minimise the length of work in ecologically sensitive areas.

 Minimise the water conveyance layout in forestland.

 Avoid crossing wetlands and protected areas.

Flora  Destruction of the vegetation cover.  Minimise land clearing areas.

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Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

 Loss of forest products (fuelwood, timber,
non timber forest products, medicinal plants).

 In case of significant and permanent decline
in the fossil groundwater static level, decrease
in the vegetation development that could ac-
celerate desertification.

 Recuperate the forest products extracted from land clearing and identify
mechanisms to distribute the products to the local population.

 Protect trees from machinery along right-of-way.

 Restore the vegetation in cleared areas.

 Ensure the plantation of indigenous species.

 Promote the development of community nurseries, preferably operated by
women.

Fauna  Disruption of wildlife habitats and migration.

 Degradation of aquatic wildlife habitat due to
water contamination.

 Increase in poaching due to non-resident
workers.

 In case of significant and permanent decline
in the fossil groundwater static level, disrup-
tion in wildlife habitat.

 Design the water conveyance layout and wastewater management sys-
tems taking into account wildlife reproduction areas and migration corridors.

 Do not carry out any work in reproduction areas during the reproduction
periods.

 Minimise sedimentation in spawning grounds downstream.

 Control illegal fishing and hunting, in particular by non-resident workers.

Natural and
cultural herit-
age

 Change in, encroachment, destruction or de-
gradation of sites of cultural, archaeological or
historical importance.

 Before construction, carry out an archaeological survey of the project
area.

 In case of discovery of any artefact of cultural, archaeological or historical
importance, protect the concerned areas during construction and contact
the relevant authorities.

 Involve traditional authorities in monitoring cultural, religious, historical and
aesthetic sites and resources during the various phases of the project.

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4.3 Population

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Demographic
trends

 Decrease in the mortality rate, particularly for
children, contributing to increasing life expectancy.

 Increase in the population due to migrants attrac-
ted by new economic opportunities (water-using in-
dustries, trade) and a better access to drinking wa-
ter.

 Increased ethnic diversity after migration.
 Temporary imbalance between men and women

due to the arrival of male workers, which can lead
to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.

 Work closely with host communities to facilitate the integration and acceptation of
migrants (men and women).

 Establish labour camps at a reasonable distance from villages.
 Whenever possible employ women or married men with nearby families.
 Assist non-resident workers in order to encourage their families to join them.

Migration and
resettlement

 Decreased standard of living for involuntarily dis-
placed people (likely few people).

 Inappropriate living conditions for non-resident
workers.

 Population pressure due to the arrival of non-res-
ident workers and migrants attracted by new eco-
nomic opportunities.

 Unplanned human settlements.

 Minimise resettlement by negotiating rights-of-way rather than proceeding with ex-
propriations.

 Provide equivalent or better housing and accompanying facilities to involuntarily
displaced men and women in accordance with consultation results, prior to taking
possession of their land.

 Plan adequate settlement areas with appropriate housing and services (water and
sanitation) and food supply for non-resident workers and their families.

 Provide complementary training /support to men and women to facilitate adjustment
during the transition period.

 In accordance with priorities of displaced men and women, ensure appropriate
funding for resettlement and compensations, in particular for productive land
owned, occupied or cultivated.

 Establish access mechanisms in order to control unorganised settlements.

Natural re-
sources and
land manage-
ment

 Sustainable management of water resources.
 Improvement in water resources conservation.
 Perturbation in land and water uses, which can

lead to social conflicts.
 Rivalry associated with incompatible uses up-

stream and downstream of the water supply
source/system.

 Design the project and coordinate work with the various land users (men and wo-
men).

 Consult all groups of the population using water and/or discharge potential con-
taminants in water (surface or underground).

 Clearly define water rights in consultation with affected groups, ensuring the parti-
cipation of women and men.

 Ensure that water user fees and conditions are defined in consultation and well un-

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Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

 Loss of or limited access to territory for some
groups, particularly farmers and livestock herders.

 Reduction in the quantity of water available for
other uses.

 Increased pressure on natural resources due to
migration.

derstood by all concerned stakeholders.
 Create water supply system management committees.
 Build on the respective knowledge and experience of women and men in water

management.
 Restore productive lands into initial conditions.
 Plan water intake according to available water resources.

Quality of life  Improvement in the quality of life due to better
water supply and new economic opportunities.

 Disruption of quality of life due to nuisances such
as noise, dust and traffic related to construction
works.

 Degradation of the landscape by land clearing,
construction works, new infrastructures, etc.

 Deterioration of hygienic conditions caused by in-
creased wastewater quantities (odours, overflow,
etc.).

 Social conflicts due to the venue of non-resident
workers and migrants (divorces, ethnic tension,
etc.)

 Involve men and women in the maintenance and management of new infrastruc-
tures to ensure their sustainability.

 Provide information and education on monitoring and maintaining water supply
systems, particularly for ensuring water quality preservation.

 Establish a formal consultation mechanism with local authorities to discuss issues
disturbing inhabitants and to find solutions satisfying all parties.

 Implement a communication plan to inform men and women on project activities
and potential nuisances.

 Involve local authorities in monitoring implementation activities and compensation
agreements, ensuring a good representation of men and women.

 Use an architectural design integrating the new infrastructures into the landscape.
 Plan wastewater management as part of the project.
 Ensure appropriate support from social services to facilitate the transition and to

prevent conflicts within families or among groups.

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4.4 Health Outcomes

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Communicable
diseases

Changes in exposure to:
 Water borne diseases e.g.: diarrhoea and cholera

associated with contamination, intermittency and
poor sanitation.

 Water related diseases e.g.: malaria, filariasis,
dengue associated with drainage, storage and
wastewater disposal.

 Water contact diseases e.g.: schistosomiasis and
swimmer's itch associated with impoundment.

 Water washed diseases e.g.: scabies and skin in-
fections associated with insufficient supply.

 Sexually transmitted infections e.g.: HIV/AIDS as-
sociated with migration, construction, economic
change.

 Respiratory infections e.g.: TB associated with
crowding.

 Provide information, education and communication about safe uses of drinking
water.

 Facilitate the implementation of appropriate latrines and other sanitation facilities.
 Environmental management for vector control; contact avoidance via settlement

location and design and use of bednets and repellents; rapid diagnosis and treat-
ment; focal insecticide and molluscicide application; covered water storage; re-
duced domestic storage; functional drainage.

 Strengthen medical services to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment.
 Ensure safe water and food storage and handling.
 Implement HIV/AIDS prophylaxis for men and women through appropriate health

promotion as well as wide distribution and use of condoms; employment opportunit-
ies for project-affected women; provision of family accommodation for workers.

 Assure continuous supply.
 Avoid using contaminated groundwater and unauthorized connections.
 Avoid contamination via runoff and contamination of intake and storage equip-

ment, particularly through users’ education and workers’ training.
 Ensure piped supply is accompanied by appropriate wastewater drainage and

disposal.
 Project settlement housing designed to avoid crowding, and provide ventilated kit-

chens and efficient stoves.
 Refer to measures proposed under Environment and Poverty crosscutting themes

as they address many health determinants of communicable diseases.

Non communi-
cable diseases

 Poisoning associated with excess chemicals
(e.g.: fluoride, nitrite, arsenic, chlorine).

 Diseases associated with chemical deficiencies
(e.g.: iodine is associated with goitre and cretin-
ism).

 Monitor water quality and adjust chemical content as appropriate.

Injuries  Increased risk of accidents on working sites and
roads due to increased traffic.

 Work injuries.

 Develop, communicate and implement safety and preventive measures for the
population (such as traffic calming devices).

 Control access to working sites.

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Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

 Install and maintain appropriate signs.
 Plan stabilisation and evacuation of injured.
 Plan for accident and emergency facilities.
 Develop, communicate and implement safety and preventive measures for work-

ers (men and women).
 Plan equipment for moving heavy loads such as donkey carts and ergonomic

equipment for men and women.

Psychosocial
disorders and
well-being

 Stress and anxiety associated with involuntary
resettlement, rapid social change, loss of tradi-
tional authority, loss of spiritual assets, uncertainty
and locus of control, severance, exclusion, margin-
alisation, gender related problems and domestic
disputes leading to suicide, physical and mental
abuse, child marriage, labour and sale, and com-
munal violence.

 Well-being associated with improved services,
stability, work opportunities, settlements, health,
empowerment, education and training.

 Refer to measures proposed under other crosscutting themes as those address
many causes of psychosocial disorders and factors contributing to well-being.

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4.5 Gender

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Division of la-
bour (paid or
unpaid work)

 Reduced time allocated to water supply by wo-
men and children due to more reliable and closer
drinking water sources.

 Reduced efforts associated with water transport-
ation.

 Provide means to women and children to further reduce efforts devoted to water
transportation (donkey, wheelbarrow, etc.).

 Plan supply alternatives in case of water system breakdowns.

Income gener-
ating activities
(money or
kind)

 Local jobs obtained by women during construction
or operation phases.

 Increased revenues for women who have addi-
tional time for income-generating activities.

 Opportunities to increase income and diversify
revenue sources through induced development.

 Reduced available income for women when user
rights and fees represent additional expenses.

 Limited participation of women in project benefits
due to cultural barriers.

 Offer project employment opportunities to men and women, encourage women to
apply and select candidates according to their competencies.

 Ensure that women have access to existing and planned facilities to take advant-
age of new opportunities.

 Ensure that women are consulted in determining water user rights and fees.
 Ensure that project promoters do not reinforce cultural barriers affecting negat-

ively women.

Access to and
control over
productive
factors

 Loss of control over water supply when women are
not involved in decision-making processes.

 Supply options do not respond to women priority
demands.

 Provide men and women with an equivalent opportunity to make their demands
known to project decision-makers.

 Recognise the specific demands and capabilities of women in water manage-
ment.

Involvement in
societal organ-
isation

 Involvement of women in decisions related to wa-
ter management.

 Women get organised to obtain training in hy-
giene and water conservation adapted to their spe-
cific needs.

 Establish committees involving women and men for managing water resources
and supply facilities.

 Ensure that women are involved in user fee collection and allocation decisions.
 Facilitate the creation of women groups when women express an interest in being

better organised and represented.

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4.6 Participation

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Consultations  Integration of men’s and women’s concerns into
the project design.

 Participation of the community, men and women,
in project development.

 Increased support for the project among affected
populations.

 Exclusion of specific groups from consultations,
particularly women.

 Water user fees determined without consulta-
tions.

 Consult affected men and women at all phases of the project, including for estab-
lishing user fees.

 Provide the opportunity to affected groups to participate in the project develop-
ment process by implementing adapted participation mechanisms.

 Use consultations to identify traditional patterns of right and responsibilities con-
cerning water supply and to determine ways to increase the involvement of ex-
cluded groups (particularly women).

 Inform consulted men and women on how their concerns were taken into ac-
count.

Civil society
strengthening

 Creation of community-based organisations in
water management.

 Participation of the community, men and women,
in the project exploitation through the involvement
of community-based organisations.

 Expansion of the CSO network working on envir-
onmental protection.

 Lack of collaboration between new and existing
CSOs working on environmental issues.

 Ensure that men and women have the opportunity to organise themselves in
groups representing their collective interests.

 Transfer to water management community-based organisations the maintenance
of the system, including revenue collection activities whenever possible.

 Facilitate the participation of existing CSOs in the project taking into account their
respective intervention priorities and strengths.

4.2.2 Construction

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5. External Factors

The major external factors that may jeopardise the outcomes of water supply pro-

jects are the following:

 Pollution from industrial, domestic, agricultural and animal sources

Industrial and domestic effluents, as well as pollution from agricultural and animal

production, can lead to the degradation of drinking water quality. To minimise the

risks of water pollution, it is recommended to adopt an integrated water resources

management approach, taking into account the location of potential contamination

sources while planning the water supply project.

 Social Instability

The emergence of community violence, vandalism, civil war, border raids and bound-

ary disputes are phenomena that generate social instability and can lead to migra-

tion, disruption of the food chain, water contamination and intermittent supply, injur-

ies, epidemics and mortality. Good governance and poverty alleviation policies are

means to prevent social instability.

6. Hazard Management

The main hazard associated with water supply projects is the following:

 Water contamination, jeopardising the potable water supply of the population

and increasing the risk of water borne diseases.

In order to prevent or minimise these hazards, appropriate risk management meas-

ures shall be designed and implemented.

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7. Environmental and Social Monitoring

The following table presents potential indicators that could be used to monitor the im-

plementation of a water supply project. The appropriate indicators for a specific pro-

ject shall be selected according to the project context, major anticipated impacts and

the cost of data collection and processing.

Component Indicators

Poverty

Economy  Annual revenues generated by water supply operations com-
pared to projected revenues.

 Number of jobs created (directly and indirectly) and occupied by
men and women.

 Proportion of income spent on water by families before and after
the project.

Information, education and
communication

 Understanding of concepts on hygiene and water conservation
by trained men and women (survey).

Access to infrastructures and
services

 Number of water points as a function of the population.

 Distance to the closest water point.

 Number of domestic water supply breakdowns.

 Average number of regular hours of services.

 Change in water user fees.

 Results of quality control of facilities.

Environment

Water  Groundwater static level and refilling capacity.
 Parameters of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality for

evaluating water quality at the sources and wastewater discharge
sites.

 Quantity of water used compared to initial estimates.

Soils  Evolution of erosion signs.

Ecosystems  Surface of sensitive areas affected by the project (encroachment,
sedimentation on spawning grounds, river banks erosion, etc.).

Natural and cultural heritage  Natural and cultural sites affected by the project.

Population

Demographic trends  Evolution of the mortality rate per age group.

 Population growth and ethnic composition.

Migration and resettlement  Number of informal settlements built by migrants.

Natural resources and land
management

 Number of conflicts among water users.
 Evolution of water consumption per inhabitant (litre/day).
 Presence of water user organisations, including men and women.
 Revenues from water fee/tariff collection and allocation.

Quality of life  Level of satisfaction of beneficiaries toward water supply services
(survey).

Health Outcomes

Communicable diseases  Prevalence rates of diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis,
diarrhoea and HIV.

 Outpatient attendance records.

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Component Indicators

 Quantity of drugs supplied and used from health services and
local shops.

 Water quality analysis results (coliforms and ascaris).

Non communicable diseases  Prevalence rates of poisoning and goitre.

 Water quality analysis results (mineral excesses and deficien-
cies).

Injuries  Number of accidents on works sites.

Gender

Division of labour  Time allocation of women before and after the project.

 School attendance of girls and boys before and after the project.

Income-generating activities  Proportion of women income devoted to water supply before and
after the project.

Access to and control over
productive factors

 Level of satisfaction of women toward project investment de-
cisions and management methods (survey).

Involvement in societal or-
ganisation

 Number of women and men involved in user and/or water man-
agement organisations.

Participation

Consultations  Stakeholders’ satisfaction toward consultations on user fees.

Civil society strengthening  Increase in community-based organisations dedicated to water
management or environmental protection.

 Level of participation of user and/or water management organisa-
tions in the decision-making processes.

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8. References and Further Readings

African Development Bank (1991). Guidelines for Project Preparation and Appraisal
in the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector.

African Development Bank (2000). Policy for Integrated Water Resources Manage-
ment.

Asian Development Bank (1993). Environmental Guidelines for Selected Infrastruc-
ture Projects. Office of the Environment.

Birley, M. H. (1995). The Health Impact Assessment of Development Projects.
HMSO, Londres.

Birley, M. H. and K. Lock (1999). The Health Impacts of Peri-urban Natural Resource
Development. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool.

Cairncross, S., J. E. Hardoy and D. Satterthwaite, Eds. (1990), The Poor Die Young,
Housing and Health in Third World Cities. Earthscan Publications Ltd., Lon-
don

Canadian International Development Agency (1997). Handbook on Environmental
Assessment of Non-Governmental Organizations and Institutions Programs
and Projects: Checklist #5 / Water Supply. Hull, Canada.

Katz, T. and J. Sara (1997). Making Rural Water Supply Sustainable: Recommenda-
tions from a Global Study. UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Program.

World Bank (1991). Environmental Assessment Sourcebook – Volume II: Sectoral
Guidelines: Chapter 9: Population, Health and Nutrition, Transportation,
Urban Development, Water Supply and Sewerage. World Bank Technical Pa-
per number 140. Environment Department.

World Health Organization (1983). Minimum Evaluation Procedure (MEP) for Water
Supply and Sanitation Projects. Mimeograph, ETS/83.1,CDD/OPR/83.1.

World Health Organisation (1993). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Second
edition, Geneva, Switzerland.

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Introduction
1. Major Types of Intervention in the Water Supply Sub-Sector
2. Specific Characteristics of a Water Supply Project
3. Major Issues Related to a Water Supply Project
Major Issues
Relevant

4. Potential Impacts, Enhancement and Mitigation Measures
4.1 Poverty
4.2 Environment
4.3 Population
4.4 Health Outcomes
4.5 Gender
4.6 Participation

5. External Factors
6. Hazard Management
7. Environmental and Social Monitoring
8. References and Further Readings