Evaluation of the effectiveness of water safety plan implementation in urban centers of Uganda

Abstract

Water Safety Plans (WSP), as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the guidelines for drinking water quality, are the most effective risk-based management approach for water supply systems from the catchment to the consumer, ensuring consistent safe drinking water supply. Uganda was among the first countries in Africa that pioneered WSP development and implementation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the effectiveness of WSP implementation in small towns of Uganda to achieve sustainable safe drinking water supply. This involved assessment of WSP status in Uganda, focusing on over 15 years’ implementation experience in 20 towns, operated by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, field visits and Focus Group Discussions. The study also assessed the effects of hazardous events and risks on the water supply system of Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality over the period 2017 to 2020. Water quality data for the period 2013 to 2020 was analysed for pH, turbidity, total iron, free chlorine and faecal coliforms. An investigation of the processes responsible for perennial low pH in the Nyaruzinga wetland, the source of water supplied in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality was also carried out. The study lastly carried out performance evaluation of the Bushenyi-Ishaka WSP. Performance indicator data was collected before, during and after 18 months of WSP implementation to determine the resultant changes. Results showed that the development of the 20 WSPs largely focused on system assessment and improvement, but did not include WSP monitoring, verification and management The main barriers to WSP implementation were inadequate staff training, team formation, mistaken perception and inability to evaluate WSP effectiveness. Conversely, the WSP enabling factors were management commitment, public health responsibility, good customer relations, financial availability and reliable laboratories. Regarding risks to water quality, results showed that the quality supplied met the national standards for turbidity (93%), total iron (99%), free residual chlorine (90%) and faecal coliforms (96%), although pH was low (5.5-6.7). Water quality was negatively influenced by extreme seasonal weather variations at the source, treatment deficiencies and distribution management gaps. In Nyaruzinga wetland, pH and dissolved oxygen increased from 70 cm deep to the surface of the wetland. Concentrations of copper (0.123-0.152 mg/L), chromium (0.002-0.299 mg/L), nickel (0.07-0.119 mg/L) and cobalt (0.006-0.081 mg/L) were determined at 70 cm deep in the wetland. Furthermore, at the same depth, high concentrations of total organic carbon (14.7-28.3 mg/L) and dissolved organic carbon (0.03-0.71 mg/L) were detected. The study revealed that the low pH in the Nyaruzinga wetland is due to low molecular weight of humic substances under perennial water logged conditions. The overall evaluation revealed that WSP implementation led to improvement in infrastructure and operational monitoring, customer engagement meetings and training. The WSP however did not result in improved catchment management, development and review of standard operating procedures and holding of internal meetings. In terms of short-term impacts, there was a significant improvement in water quality compliance (p=0.037), supply continuity (p<0.001), and improved customer satisfaction (p=0.028) with reduced complains. There was however a significant reduction in the revenue-cost ratio (p=0.001), likely due to inadequate budget for implemented service expansion.