High coverage figures do not guarantee that citizens have reliable access to safe drinking water. In fact, there are often great disparities and seasonal fluctuations in services received. This is clearly apparent from results of the recent monitoring survey on current water service levels in Burkina's Sahel region.
Published on: 01/11/2013
The study covered eight departments or communes (Arbinda, Dori, Gorgadji, Mansila, Markoyé, Seytentenga, Tankougounadié and Titabé) with a total population of 55,000. Although official drinking water coverage rates are above 50% in almost all the villages surveyed, the percentage of people with access in accordance with national norms is between 0 and 2% per village.
The majority of villagers in the surveyed areas continue to use unimproved sources and only take a small amount of water - less than 20 litres per person per day - from improved water points to meet their basic needs (drinking, cooking, hygiene). Water services fluctuate strongly between the rainy and dry seasons.
The service levels relate to data collected about:
Findings have been summarized in 23 short fact sheets available in French. These will help local governments and service providers better plan for investments in water service delivery.
The study is part of the WA-WASH project funded by USAID.
