Institutional environment and the local coping strategies for multiple use of water in Legedini, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, livestock water requirements often have priority, even over drinking water for men, but this is not always recognized by conventional water planners. The multiple use system investigated in this thesis allows for all sorts of water use as identified by a community and can easily be extended and upgraded over time.

In 2002 boreholes equipped with diesel pumps were installed in the Legedini area, in Ethiopia. The improved water supply was used for domestic purposes, including the watering of small and dairy animals that are kept near the house. The increased availability of water had positive impacts on livestock. Animals could now drink twice a day instead of once every two days. Because of the shortened walking distance, the number of spontaneous abortions among cows diminished. They had better appetite and the higher water intake lead to higher milk production per animal. Now women can sell milk on the market, and spend the extra on the household.

Though the cost of pumping are high and fuel is not always easy to obtain in this remote area, users in this particular project were interested in contributing local material, labour and even cash to further develop the water supply. After a breakdown of the system early 2005, the pump was repaired and now enables people to irrigate papayas and vegetables. By setting up a water committee, the community also gained access to banks as a new way of saving instead of keeping livestock as assets.