In this book chapter, the authors argue for an increase in investments in designing and testing emerging institutional models for rural water services to evaluate the trade‐offs in performance across institutional, financial and operational dimensions.
Research theme
Can shallow groundwater sustain small-scale irrigated agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from N-W Ethiopia
This research presents an evidence-based approach to identify how best to support development of groundwater for small- scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa. They authors conducted a multimethod groundwater recharge assessment, utilising formal and community-based monitoring, field investigation and existing published data in the north-west highlands of Ethiopia.
Understanding empowerment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): a scoping review
Empowerment is a complex and multi-dimensional concept, and it is often not clear how it is defined in WASH sector programming. This scoping review explores how concepts of empowerment have been used in the WASH sector and delineates relevant empowerment dimensions.
Enhancing livelihoods of the urban poor through productive uses of utility-supplied water services – Evidence from Kampala, Uganda
This paper reports on a study conducted in Kampala, Uganda, which adapted the existing rural-based Multiple Use water Services (MUS) framework into a slum-specific framework. MUS is a livelihood-centred approach that is implemented in rural areas of over twenty countries, where water supply primarily designed for domestic or irrigation purposes is also used for productive uses to improve householders’ livelihoods.
Including water quality monitoring in rural water services: why safe water requires challenging the quantity versus quality dichotomy
This study uses dilemma analysis, drawing on an institutional experiment engaging 76 stakeholders to identify and characterise the multiple dilemmas faced in including water quality monitoring in rural water services.
Dimensions of water insecurity in pastoralist households in Kenya
Pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya face increasing water security risks attributable to disruptions in their socio-ecological environments. This study provides empirical evidence on factors behind water security and identifies factors that enhance resilience for vulnerable pastoralist communities in Samburu County.
Water Pollution Management in Dhaka: Stakeholder perceptions to inform action
This policy brief reports on key findings and recommendations from research led by WSUP, looking at the attitudes and perceptions of households, industry, government and non-governmental organizations to freshwater pollution in Dhaka.
Impact of Lake Beseka on the Water Quality of Awash River, Ethiopia
Using 480 water samples collected between 2008 and 2017, this research seeks to better understand the discharge of Lake Beseka and its impact downstream on the water quality of Ethiopia’s Awash River.
Machine learning to evaluate impacts of flood protection in Bangladesh, 1983–2014
The research in this article published in MDPI Water uses machine-learning approaches to study the long-term impacts of flood protection in Bangladesh. Specifically, it tests whether the embankment has affected the welfare of people over time, benefiting those living inside more than those living outside.
River toxicity assessment using molecular biosensors: Heavy metal contamination in the Turag-Balu-Buriganga river systems, Dhaka, Bangladesh
This study used technology based on luminescent molecular biosensors to assess the toxicity in the rivers around Dhaka in Bangladesh, namely the Turag, Tongi, Balu and Buriganga.
