Multiple use considered crucial to sustainability of rural water supply systems in Honduras

RASHON (Red de Agua y Saneamiento de Honduras) is the major network of water sector organisations in Honduras. Since early 2007 it has been working together with IRC on a programme for strengthening the capacity for local governance of WASH services in the country. One particular theme is multiple uses of water. To that end, on 27 Sept a workshop was held to provide a first introduction to this topic to field staff from different sector organisations. The participants discussed their own experiences with multiple uses of water, and concluded that de facto most water systems in rural communities in Honduras are being used for productive purposes. However, this practice is hardly ever recognised. That lack of recognition leads to problems of sustainability, as there are unauthorised connections, over-use and conflicts within communities. Field staff acknowledge that they need to recognise these practices in order to provide better support to rural water supply systems. The workshop recommended that this topic is further addressed by the RASHON and IRC, through analysis and documentation of current practices on multiple use of water, and sharing of lessons learnt.

For more information on RASHON, see www.rashon.org.hn. Or contact Stef Smits smits@irc.nl