Collaborative efforts in action: woreda, zonal, and regional WASH sector offices engage at the workshop
IRC WASH Ethiopia, in partnership with UNICEF Ethiopia, conducted a diagnostic assessment of the Berhale Town Water Utility. The findings of the assessment highlighted capacity building, securing funding, improving financial transparency, and integrating refugee considerations. Participants noted staffing and maintenance issues, water quality monitoring gaps, and the impact of climate change. The next steps involve collaborative efforts with stakeholders to enhance water service delivery.
Published on: 09/09/2024
IRC WASH Ethiopia, in partnership with UNICEF Ethiopia, conducted a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and performance improvement plan of the Berhale Town Water Utility in the Afar Region. Recently, in a workshop conducted in Abaala Town, IRC WASH presented the findings to the woreda, zonal, and regional WASH sector offices, offering a thorough overview of the utilities’ current state and actionable recommendations for improvement. The assessment identified various challenges and suggested the best possible solutions. The assessment recommended the following solutions to improve the Berhale Town Water Utility service.
To improve the water governance in Berhale Town, the diagnostic assessment recommended building the capacity of utility board members, implementing performance management systems for accountability (for the utility and the board), regularly conducting stakeholder meetings, and developing a comprehensive organisational structure. These steps aim to strengthen governance and institutional management, ensuring better oversight and decision-making.
To address infrastructure challenges, the study suggested securing funding for infrastructure rehabilitation, developing and implementing a comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan, and establishing an asset management system. These measures will enhance the utility’s ability to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure, ensuring reliable service delivery.
The utility can improve its financial management by introducing functional water meters, establishing financial management guidelines, building staff capacity, investing in energy-efficient technologies, and developing a business and strategic plan that aligns financial forecasts with operational needs and goals. These steps will enhance revenue collection and financial transparency.
Developing a comprehensive human resource (HR) strategy, implementing HR manuals and guidelines, and building staff capacity are crucial for improving operational efficiency. These initiatives will ensure that the utility has qualified personnel and effective HR policies in place.
To manage the strain on resources due to the large refugee population, the study recommended integrating refugee-specific considerations into strategic planning and seeking support from international organisations for infrastructure improvements. Improving equitable service delivery, establishing transparent tariff structures, and conducting community awareness programmes will foster better cooperation and support from the community.
Developing and promoting public-private partnership models can attract private sector investment and expertise in utility operations. This approach will provide additional resources and innovative solutions to enhance service delivery.
Upon hearing the findings of the assessment, the participants also highlighted several key challenges and areas for improvement in utility operations. They mentioned that staffing challenges, such as lack of sufficient staff, significantly impact service quality and project timelines. There is also lack of capacity building training to cover basic technical and leadership skills. Maintenance practices often lead to service issues due to delays, impacting reliability. Water quality monitoring faces gaps in testing frequency and equipment. Non-revenue water issues stem from leaks and unauthorised connections. Additionally, the influx of refugees strains resources, increasing demand and overburdening infrastructure. Participants mentioned the challenges of climate change, including flooding of Berhale Town’s water source and a lack of space for solar panel installation. They recommended creating an additional water source or borehole where there is free space for solar panels. The need to develop and implement a business and water safety plan was also highlighted during the discussion.
Nur Akadir, Head of Berhale Water Utility, highlighted the positive impact of the diagnostic assessment and emphasised that it provided a detailed understanding of their gaps, presenting an excellent opportunity to enhance their water service by collaborating with various stakeholders and the community. Abdusemed Mohammed, Head of the Berhale Water Office, echoed this sentiment, noting that the assessment and subsequent discussions illuminated the best approaches to address their gaps. The key takeaway was the agreement to work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve the service.
