Assessing Sustainability of WASH Projects Using USAT: A Case of Public Schools in Zambezi District of Zambia

Authors : Niraj Jain, Roy Chileshe, Francis Muwowo, Specious Mulenga

Pages : 29-45

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Publication Date : 2019-06-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :This paper presents the findings of an empirical case study of public schools in Zambezi district of Zambia undertaken to assess the sustainability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in the rural schools using five variables and a simpler assessment framework- the unit-based sustainability assessment tool (USAT). The importance of sustainability in WASH Projects cannot be overemphasized with the rampant outbreaks of cholera in Zambia. The study contends that in order for WASH to be sustainable, there ought to be five ingredients: availability of WASH facilities; training and equipment capacity amongst the WASH implementers; community participation; effective monitoring and evaluation system; knowledge-transfer to pupils in the rural schools. It is against this background that a survey of school teachers and community members was undertaken. Empirical findings show that all variables scored below the 50% benchmark for adequate sustainability performance. The study concludes that WASH projects in the rural schools of Zambezi district are not sustainable. It is therefore recommended that WASH implementers should be adequately trained. The beneficiaries of WASH should be provided with all facilities and, the community should be fully involved in the WASH implementation process.
Keywords : Sustainability, WASH projects, Rural schools, Unit-based sustainability Tool (USAT), , Water-borne diseases