Ari Zone water scheme monitoring system dashboard
By integrating all the woredas in the zone, Ari Zone has laid the groundwork for reliable and accessible data, critical for improving water services and addressing community needs effectively.
Published on: 05/12/2024
IRC WASH has been supporting Ari Zone and South Ari Woreda to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems mainly on improving data management for drinking water services. Now the Zone is owning the system, and the water scheme monitoring system becoming one of the main agendas in the zonal WASH sector review meeting.
On October 3, 2024, the Ari Zone Water, Mines, and Energy Department facilitated a zonal WASH sectors review meeting to assess the 2016 Ethiopian year’s performance, address key challenges, and outline corrective measures while reviewing the 2017 Ethiopian Calendar annual sector plan. The meeting brought together high-level government officials, political leaders, WASH stakeholders, and development partners from Ari Zone and its woredas.
IRC WASH piloted a water scheme monitoring system in South Ari Woreda, significantly improving access to up-to-date and detailed data on water schemes in the woreda. This system has been instrumental in supporting annual planning and maintenance budget requests.
In 2023, the woreda water office mobilised resources for maintaining water schemes in three kebeles and improving water supply services for two schools in Metser and Dordora kebeles. Additionally, through collaboration with the woreda administration, the office used the water scheme management system to mobilise resources for 31 non-functional water schemes in 2024.
The South Ari Woreda Water Mine and Energy Office continue to use the system to calculate annual water service coverage and analyse service levels, enhancing the woreda's capacity to manage and improve water supply services effectively and sustainably. Based on this success, the Ari Zone Water, Mine, and Energy Department has expanded the water scheme management system to cover all woredas within the zone. The system is now fully updated with comprehensive and accurate data on water schemes. To ensure its effective utilization, the department has issued formal directives to all zonal WASH stakeholders, mandating the use of the system as the primary source for water scheme data and planning.
According to Kasahun Zeroo, the focal person for the zone water scheme monitoring system, over 92% of water institutions in Ari Zone have been integrated into the mWater data management system, marking a significant milestone in ensuring comprehensive data coverage for the zone water services. With trained professionals in all woredas, the platform now facilitates effective data collection, monitoring, and visualisation, ensuring that decision-makers have the data they need to manage water resources efficiently.
Kasahun noted that one woreda in the zone has achieved 100% data entry compliance, a testament to the success of the system. However, there remain challenges in maintaining full participation across all woredas due to transportation and budget constraints. These challenges present an opportunity for further collaboration among government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to close these gaps.
Participants from other government sector offices and higher zone government leaders were impressed by the progress and expressed their impression about the system’s potential to serve as a model for other sectors. Guralek Yizmalek, head of Ari Zone’s Prosperity Party Office, emphasised the system's importance, noting, "having such a data management system in the zone is vital for understanding and managing our resources. We must ensure that the system's reliability and quality are maintained."
Additionally, Yirdaw Ashene, Advisor to the Ari Zone Administrator, noted that the inclusion of all woredas enhances the transparency and equity of water services across the zone, creating a conducive environment for delivering reliable and accessible data.
By integrating all the woredas in the zone, Ari Zone has laid the groundwork for reliable and accessible data, critical for improving water services and addressing community needs effectively.
While the monitoring system's expansion is a significant step forward, concerns remain about the potential challenges related to data reliability. Hagere Belete, WASH Officer from VSF-Germany, highlighted the difficulties in ensuring data accuracy and reliability across different areas. He noted discrepancies between reported data and the actual situation on the ground. "We receive detailed information on water institutions from the Woreda Water Office, which helps us with maintenance and rehabilitation efforts. However, there are times when the data we receive is inconsistent with actual conditions," he noted, calling for improved documentation and accountability.
Neway Abayneh, Coordinator of the Action for Development Office in Jinka, reflected on the importance of data management in the WASH sector. He emphasised that once the system and preparation are completed, the Zone Water, Mines, and Energy Department should ensure that all water scheme data is fully updated on the system.
Taye Tamru, Drinking Water Schemes Management Team Leader of the South Ari Woreda Water, Mines, and Energy Office, stated, "I am 100% certain about the data system in South Ari Woreda." His conviction reflects the ongoing commitment to ensuring data reliability and quality in the woreda.
Ari Zone Chief Administrator Abreham Atta, reinforced the need for timely data submission from all woredas, calling for both governmental and non-governmental partners to have access to the system to enhance collaboration and accountability. He emphasised the data quality and timeliness and underscored the role of the Woreda Water, Mines, and Energy Offices in maintaining the system and its effectiveness.
The integration of reliable data management processes marks a significant step forward. The commitment from government officials, non-government organizations, and local leaders to maintain and expand the system underscores the importance of accurate data in achieving sustainable water management.
Ensuring the system’s reliability and addressing challenges, such as data inconsistencies and resource limitations, will be key to its continued success. By establishing a strong foundation for data-driven decision-making, the Ari Zone Water, Mines, and Energy Department is poised to make significant strides toward achieving SDG 6.1, ensuring equitable access to safe and sustainable water services for all residents in the zone.
