Transcript Slide 1

Incorporation of multiple uses into new (irrigation) systems:
Case study Ethiopia
Photo: Eline Boelee
Irrigation canal
Irrigation diversion
structure
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Filtration gallery
Photo: Eline Boelee
Ethiopia
Diversion dam
Photo: Pauline Scheelbeek
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Domestic water point
Cattle trough
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Irrigated fields
Irrigated field
Laundry basin
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Cattle trough
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Photo: Eline Boelee
Nursery
Photo: Eline Boelee
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Photo: Michiko Ebato
Catholic Relief Services and their partners have implemented several multipurpose water systems in East
and Northern Ethiopia. Some started as domestic systems (e.g. Burak in the East - left example), while
some were from the start designed to deliver multiple use water services (e.g. Adidaero in the North – right).
Water point (left) and
laundry basin (right)
Spring
protection box
and reservoir
Incorporation of multiple uses into new irrigation systems:
Case study Ethiopia (based on MUS project, see notes)
Designed for multiple uses with focus on irrigation
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In most of rural Ethiopia, no adequate drinking water supply is available
People use water from all sources for livestock, drinking, irrigation, and other domestic and productive purposes
Water interventions by NGOs integrate various uses according to the potential of the water resources, e.g.
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Springs are protected by spring boxes and the high quality water stored in a clean reservoir, with connections to
taps, cattle troughs, laundry and washing sites; overflow from the reservoirs is used for irrigation
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Water from diversion dams is led into irrigation canals and horizontal filtration gallery and the potable water stored;
overflow goes to laundry basin and cattle trough.
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Boreholes with high yields are equipped with extra pumps to make more water available for gardens.
A learning alliance on multiple use of water in eastern Ethiopia has led to changed investments – now this district will
invest in multipurpose water systems only
Issues
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Ethiopia
Water quality variable: from very low at surface water sources to high at boreholes
Water stored and consumed at household level very low quality
High prevalence of intestinal water-related parasites (e.g. Cryptosporidium, Giardia)
Access to water systems not always clearly arranged, sometimes aggravation of conflicts
Low access to markets, both for agricultural inputs (e.g. agrochemicals) and for selling products
Incorporation of multiple uses into new irrigation systems:
Case study Ethiopia
Service levels
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Though these are almost fully-fledged multiple use water services and the irrigation-plus typology does not really apply,
probably L1 classifies these systems best because most facilities are communal.
Could move up the service ladder by
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Introduction of home water treatment for drinking water
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Individual connections and provisions
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Agricultural and veterinary extension
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Improved access to input and output markets
Costs
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Infrastructure in Ethiopia is more expensive than in other countries, so combined infrastructure saves money
Good participatory approach to include all agencies and assess actual range of water needs is time consuming and leads
to high overheads
Much of rural Ethiopia is chronically food-insecure and depends (at least for several months of the year) on food aid.
Access to water for irrigation would help to reduce food insecurity but it will take years and much additional (information,
infrastructure, education) support before people can get an income. Cost recovery in Ethiopia is an illusion in the short
term.
Benefits
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Ethiopia
Improved health
Increased food security
Increased livestock productivity
Increased opportunities for income generation
Reduced work load and drudgery, especially for children