Models of management systems for the operation and maintenance of rural water supply and sanitation facilities

Inappropriate management systems have often hampered the effective operation and maintenance (O&M) of water supply and sanitation (WSS) facilities in developing countries, due to a lack of guidance and structure. There are different O&M management models, each of which is appropriate for a particular country or situation. This report assesses the many issues influencing the development or choice of a particular management model. It offers recommendations for the most effective O&M of WSS facilities to both planners and project designers, by emphasizing the importance of management responsibility. The accent of this report is more on water systems than on sanitation, although water and sanitation facilities are often developed as part of a package. Water systems in rural areas tend to be more complex for a variety of reasons. Consequently, they require a wider variety of management approaches. The authors of this report cite a number of case studies with a description of different O&M management systems. There is a table ranking different issues that affect O&M management of WSS systems, by country.