Purpose. Water and Sanitation: A Community-Based Approach 11/2/15. Joshua Knight, P.E., Ph.D. Define sustainability for EWBUSA work

Transcription

1 11/2/15 Water and Sanitation: A Community-Based Approach Joshua Knight, P.E., Ph.D. Purpose Define sustainability for EWBUSA work Provide guidance to International Development Sector on sustainability. Share tools to incorporate sustainability into project early Encourage reflection and learning 1

2 EWB-USA Why is Important? MISSION EWB-USA supports community-driven development programs worldwide through partnerships that design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences that enrich global perspectives and create responsible leaders. VISION EWB-USA's vision is a world in which the communities we serve have the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs Year that EWB- USA was founded San Pablo, Belize LocaDon of the first EWB- USA project 2.5 million Lives impacted since 2002 Characteristics Questions For You 1. What does sustainability even mean? 2. Why does it ma8er? Photo: EWB- USA Columbia University team 2

3 Characteristics 1. Performance 2. Environmental 3. Economic 4. Social/Cultural 5. Resilience within EWB- USA is the capacity of a project to endure. 1. PERFORMANCE Will the system perform as well or better than similar systems in the country or region, used by current populations, other EWB-USA teams, or other NGOs? 3

4 1. PERFORMANCE How can your organization address this? Slow Down! Mentorship Local technical expertise Assess Hardware Stores! Alternatives analysis TAC review Monitoring and evaluation 1. PERFORMANCE Example problems Bio-sand filters that work in theory but not at the site Water supply yield is not what was expected 4

5 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Project impact on environment Quantity and quality of water, air and soil 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Cradle to grave analysis of inputs and outputs at a local, regional and global scale. 5

6 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Example problems Latrines on groundwater Water diversions on ecosystem 3. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY Community Ownership, Community-driven project Minimum 5% cash contribution from Community 100% O&M, repairs and expansion from community 6

7 3. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY How can a team analyze this? Cash & In-Kind Buy-In Full Cost Pricing 3. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY Example problems Water system, PV for pump. Solar panels stolen 7

8 3. ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY Example problems Pilot Slow sand filters are given to few community members for free 4. SOCIAL/CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Preserve social structures & Culture Promote social equity Project: high priority of community Services for all without prejudice. 8

9 4. SOCIAL and CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY How does a team address this? Listen to Community Listen to NGO Current Community Structures Project and Implementation Agreement Cash and in-kind contributions Education 4. SOCIAL and CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Example problems Unused Cook Stoves: Why? 9

10 5. RESILIENCE Project must withstand challenges to viability. This includes: Internal issues External pressures Some Perspective: Questions for Group! Are there hard and fast rules for analyzing the sustainability of a program? Should the team give equal weight to all of the sustainability characteristics? 10

11 11/2/15 Lessons Learned Photo: EWB- USA Montana State University team LESSONS LEARNED Group Together, Share Your own project experiences! 11

12 LESSONS LEARNED Think of your Own project experiences! Peru Biosand Filter Project Sand sources not found during assessment Only available by boat - Lesson Learned? LESSONS LEARNED Think of your Own project experiences! Rwanda Water Pipeline A neighboring community dug out pipe Project community feared neighboring community would try to inject poison Lesson learned? 12

13 Program THINGS SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS HAVE IN COMMON: Eyes on the ground: engaged and involved local NGO Team addressed both the technology and behavioral aspects of project. Thorough health & problems assessments were conducted. Solid lines of communication between project team and community Project team spoke local language, or local translators sourced Project engaged the locals during every project phase Program THINGS SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS HAVE IN COMMON Multiple mentors/members experienced in the relevant disciplines Design was not finalized until functioning committee with fee collection Community cash contribution (5-10%) was in the bank. Team returned to the site for years after project was completed Reasonable construction schedules with contingency were developed Community-led construction activities 13

14 11/2/15 Program Thank you for your commitment to! Any questions? Photo: EWB- USA Cal Poly SLO team GET IN TOUCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE Engineers Without Borders USA rd Street, Suite 210 Denver, CO usa.org info@ewb- usa.org youtube.com/ewbusa Photo: EWB- USA University of Colorado Boulder team 14

15 QUESTIONS? If you have questions about sustainability, please feel free to contact me! 15