News from Mozambique
News items from Mozambique on the WASH sector.
The power of zero – priceless, not worthless
WASHCost Mozambique
What does it mean when the cost of a toilet is zero? Is this a cost saved or a cost lost? Is it a sign of success or a symptom of failure? WASHCost attempts to answer these questions in multiple countries, including Mozambique.
Mozambique districts prepare to trial the life-cycle cost approach
WASHCost Mozambique
Four districts in Mozambique will prepare to pilot life-cycle costing in February 2012, to learn how to use limited funds more effectively in order to deliver better water and sanitation services.
The well that keeps on giving
What is the lifespan of a borehole and handpump, the technology that has been the mainstay of water supply in rural areas throughout the developing world?
According to the Rural Water Supply Network “boreholes are drilled to function for a lifespan of 20 to 50 years ”, but research by WASHCost suggests that many boreholes and wells stop functioning much earlier than planned – often just five years after they were drilled.
WASHCost data put to use to plan services in Mozambique
Provincial water and sanitation departments across Mozambique are using unit cost data from the WASHCost project for the first time to budget and plan services.
The capital costs of water points and of capital maintenance costs have been fed back to the ten provincial rural water teams by the National Directorate for Water (DNA). The figures have already created a stir in the sector – especially the high costs of capital maintenance (CapManEx).
This is the first time that data collected by WASHCost has been put into use in a live budgeting process. It marks a key development in decision making based on unit costs.
Taking research to the next level
The WASHCost Mozambique team recently reflected on its past research process and how they will move forward into the coming years. Their key focus for moving into latter half of the WASHCost programme is to provide evidence on the practicality of the WASHCost approach on the ground, as well as helping district officials to better plan and budget WASH services using the life-cycle cost approach.
Social factors affecting water pump life span in South and Northern provinces
High maintenance costs, missing parts and receding ground water levels are three reasons why Mozambique is not achieving MDGs on WASH services.
Mozambique reaffirms commitment to WASHCost
Deputy National Director of Water reaffirms commitment to WASHCost – to address a lack of accurate and updated cost data of water sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
The drop of water that can generate conflicts in SADC
Leaders of the SADC region know that water scarcity is an issue which threatens relations between the countries. But to voice this possibility is unheard of.
2012 goal to double water supply network in Maputo City
Construction of 500kms of a water supply network to begin in the city of Maputo.
WASHCost message is spreading and gets local follow up
Provincial Director of Water gets behind the importance of life-cycle unit costs.
