This study looked into the water quality and flooding situation of Greater Dhaka for two successive monsoons through extensive river sampling coupled with the estimation of flooded area and exposed population using remote sensing tools.
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Public participation and community engagement in domestic water supply management in Kenya: Progress and directions
This report, produced by the University of Oxford in collaboration with representatives from civil society, research institutions, government organisations, and NGOs, evaluates public participation and community engagement in domestic water supply management in Kenya, analysing policy progress, practices, and challenges within an evolving governance landscape.
REACH Story of Change: Water law reform to improve water security for vulnerable people in Africa: A hybrid water law
Permit systems used for water authorisation were introduced in many African countries during the colonial era to protect water entitlements of settlers, with disregard for customary water tenue and local needs. These permit systems require users of water above a defined threshold to apply for permits offering formal legal water rights, therefore granting those who use water below this threshold weaker legal status. This REACH Story of Change explores a science-practitioner partnership which assesses water permit systems in Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The findings have been presented at key international forums and gained significan media attention, influencing policy discussions on water governance reform to better support inclusive rural development and farmer-led irrigation.
REACH Story of Change: Cleaning the tap: Tap hygiene for safer drinking water
Water use behaviour impacts the hygiene of water collection points which can therefore impact water quality. While previous research has focused largely on household hygiene, REACH research has demonstrated how a systematic gap between engineering and hygiene considerations in the water sector is reducing access to safe drinking water. This Story of Change explores how regular cleaning of water point spouts and taps in Bangladesh could substantially reduce the number of people who lack access to uncontaminated drinking water (currently estimated to be between 2-4 billion people worldwide).
Water–Energy Nexus-Based Optimization of the Water Supply Infrastructure in a Dryland Urban Setting
Managing water supply systems is essential for developing countries to face climate variability in dryland settings. However, high energy costs from pumping, water loss due to aging infrastructure, and increased demand from population growth can exacerbate this challenge. In response, this study proposes a methodology that optimizes a Water Distribution Network (WDN) and its management, within the dryland urban setting of Lodwar, Kenya. The findings highlight the potential of WEN-based solutions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of data-scarce water utilities in dryland ecosystems.
Guaranteeing safe drinking water services for public schools in Kenya (Briefing Note)
With an estimated 30% of Kenya’s national population in either primary or secondary school, access to a safe and reliable water service in schools is central to the achievement of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda on both basic education and water services. This briefing note outlines policy implications of an empirical study estimating the cost to guarantee safe and reliable daily drinking water services to all schools in Kitui County, building on experience and insights from FundiFix, a professionalized water service maintenance model operating in Kenya.
Guaranteeing safe drinking water services for public schools in Kenya: A costed professional service delivery model for Kitui County
This working paper offers a detailed analysis of the costs and requirements to deliver safe and reliable water services in Kitui County schools, based on a county-wide audit and financial information from a professionalized water service delivery model operating in the county. The authors use this to develop an estimate of the cost to guarantee safe and reliable daily drinking water services for all of Kenya’s public schools, and provide insights into new funding models and policy developments to facilitate this important goal.
REACH Story of Change: Building drought resilience in Ethiopian river basins
Through the BRIGHT programme, REACH partner WLRC will build upon and scale up its research on water resources management, climate science, water quality and inequalities in Ethiopia to benefit an estimated 2.5 million people directly, and over 50 million people indirectly. This Story of Change reflects on the partnerships and processes that have facilitated this success for WLRC and for Ethiopia.
Can solar water kiosks generate sustainable revenue streams for rural water services?
This study explores how upgrading water supply infrastructure influences user behaviour in rural Mali by modelling changes in revenue and volumetric water use when handpumps are upgraded to solar kiosks. Average monthly revenue is four times higher with solar kiosks, whilst payment collections increased and remained stable after upgrading handpumps to solar kiosks.
REACH Story of Change: Monitoring and modelling river water quality to protect Dhaka’s river system
This Story of Change describes the establishment of an advanced river water quality modelling system in Dhaka. The system allows decisionmakers to assess the potential impacts of current activities and future growth on river health, and to explore strategies for mitigation such as improved industrial wastewater management and new sewage treatment plants. Ready Made Garment Industry actors have engaged with the model to understand and respond to pollution from their factories.
