WATER
Spring Water Maintenance and Development in South Ari Woreda
BACKGROUND
South Ari Woreda, located in the Ari Zone of the South Ethiopia Region, is one of the remote areas of Ethiopia facing serious challenges in access to safe drinking water. Many water springs had deteriorated over time due to factors such as turbidity, landslides, clogging, poor construction standards, and inadequate management practices.
The resulting scarcity of potable water created numerous social and health-related challenges. Competition over limited water sources often led to disputes among users and strained relations between communities and local authorities. Residents, particularly women and girls, spent long hours waiting in queues or traveling considerable distances to collect water. School-aged girls bore a disproportionate burden, exposing them to physical hardship and safety risks.
The absence of reliable access to clean water also contributed to significant public health concerns. Community members reportedly suffered from a range of illnesses, including diarrhea, dysentery, giardiasis, and typhoid fever, while prolonged consumption of contaminated water increased the risk of more severe health complications affecting vital organs and neurological functions. In 2023, safe water coverage in South Ari Woreda stood at only 32 percent.
EXISTING INITIATIVE
During a joint visit to South Ari Woreda in 2023, representatives of IPADA and the Allegro Foundation met with the Woreda Chief Administrator and members of the local cabinet. During these discussions, the administration formally requested support to rehabilitate and develop water sources that had become non-functional or inefficient over time.
In response, IPADA, working closely with the Woreda Administration, undertook two initial actions. First, an assessment was conducted to determine the physical condition of existing springs and identify rehabilitation requirements. Second, all relevant stakeholders engaged in the water sector were invited to participate in a coordinated partnership. The assessment ultimately identified 28 springs requiring renovation and improvement.
COLLABORATION
The spring water maintenance and development initiative brought together a broad coalition of partners, including IPADA (Ethiopia), the Allegro Foundation (Spain), the South Ari Woreda Water Office (Ethiopia), World Vision Ethiopia – South Omo Area Program Office, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society – South Omo Branch, the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC WASH), and local communities.
Responsibilities were shared among the partners according to their respective strengths and capacities. The project cost was shared amongst the partners in cash, kind, deployment of experts, and mobilization of labor. IPADA and the Allegro Foundation mobilized financial resources (US$3,830 or Ethiopia Birr 466,000) from Spain. The South Ari Woreda Water Office contributed funding, coordinated community participation, and supervised rehabilitation activities. World Vision Ethiopia supplied construction materials, including cement and pipes. The Ethiopian Red Cross Society assumed responsibility for a portion of the identified springs and independently managed their rehabilitation and development. IRC WASH established and trained water management committees to oversee operation and maintenance. Community members contributed labor, locally available construction materials such as stones, and food for masons and technical personnel working at the sites.
ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
Major activities included resource mobilization, procurement and transportation of materials, community engagement, recruitment of skilled masons and technical experts, and the establishment and capacity building of water management committees.
The initiative emerged as a notable success. By the inauguration date, 27 of the 28 identified springs had been fully rehabilitated or developed, while all necessary materials had already been secured for the remaining site. Collectively, the 28 water points now serve 9,263 beneficiaries.
As a direct result of the intervention led by IPADA and its partners, safe drinking water coverage in South Ari Woreda increased from 32 percent to 39 percent. Several factors contributed to this achievement, including the strong community demand for the intervention, local ownership of the process, committed leadership, and the determination of all stakeholders to achieve tangible results. The partnership approach enhanced efficiency, maximized available resources, and created conditions conducive to long-term impact.
The success of the initiative generated widespread interest among both communities and government authorities. Inspired by the results, residents began undertaking similar activities on their own initiative, while local officials expressed their commitment to replicate the approach in other areas.
SUSTAINABILITY
The intervention is expected to remain sustainable for several reasons. Communities that previously relied on unsafe water sources have demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting and maintaining the rehabilitated springs. Water management committees have been established and trained to assume responsibility for day-to-day oversight and maintenance.
Furthermore, local authorities recognize access to safe drinking water as an important governance issue and have expressed their determination to ensure the continued protection and functionality of the water points. This combination of community ownership and institutional commitment provides a solid foundation for sustainability.
SIGNS OF MOTIVATION
One of the most encouraging outcomes of the initiative has been the level of community-driven replication it inspired. Motivated by the successful completion of the IPADA-supported intervention, residents in several areas organized themselves, mobilized local resources, and independently developed nine additional springs. Construction of a tenth spring was underway at the time of the inauguration.
As a result of these community-led efforts, approximately 1,400 additional people now have access to safe drinking water. The initiative has therefore created a promising model for expanding water access not only within South Ari Woreda but also across the wider Ari Zone and beyond.
FUTURE PLAN
As noted earlier, safe water coverage in South Ari Woreda increased from 32 percent to 39 percent through this intervention. The implementation of another water project in the woreda subsequently raised coverage to 42 percent. Nevertheless, this means that approximately 58 percent of the population still lacks access to safe drinking water.
Consequently, demand for additional interventions remains extremely high. While IPADA and its partners are committed to addressing these needs, available resources are insufficient to meet the scale of demand. Additional support is therefore urgently needed to expand access to safe water and reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases in the project area.