Influence of Water Extraction Technology on Sustainability of Community Operated Water Projects in Central Nyakach Sub- County, Kisumu, Kenya

Abstract

Sustainability of community operated rural water projects in Kenya remains a challenge. In spite of concerted efforts to transfer ownership of rural water projects to beneficiary communities and increasing participation of the communities in the operation of these facilities, more than a third of all rural water projects fail within the first few years of development. This study investigated the Influence of Water Extraction Technology on sustainability of community operated water projects in central Nyakach sub- county, Kenya. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, and from a target population of 1346 households, a proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 142 household water users as respondents, 25 water management committee members and 6 local leaders as key informants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Content analysis was also done. The results revealed that the hand pump technology was more prone to breakdowns than the solar pump technology. Furthermore, spare parts and technicians were locally available to undertake repair work and maintenance, thus enhancing the water projects sustainability. There is need to replace the hand pump technology with modern and efficient technologies that would extract higher volumes of water thus meeting the needs of the community members.