Training for sustainable water management

Initiative Développement (ID) aimed to increase the professional capabilities within the communes of Toffo, Zé, Kpomassé (57,000 inhabitants), in south Benin, helping them to sustainably manage their public water services. The project’s goal was to accompany the emergence and professional development of the private sector operators to which the local councils delegated the exploitation of their water supply systems, and to enable competent technical and financial monitoring of these activities. The project also included the promotion of improved hygiene practices.

By the end of the project, the training provided to the public and private sector water supply operators had enabled the technical, financial, administrative and commercial management of the water services to become more efficient. Beneficiary populations had an improved access to drinking water of better quality, thanks to the extension of the network. This represented in particular 20km of new pipelines in the communes of Zé and Kpomassé and 25 new public fountains. Over 50% of the farmers had improved their water management skills and the public had been educated about daily water management and improved hygiene practices. The technical monitoring of the water supply system remained a limited success, as the method had not been fully adopted by the technical services.

Initiative Development (ID) is a French association that supports disadvantaged communities in developing countries, while strengthening and encouraging the emergence of local development stakeholders. ID also aims to facilitate access to food, health care, drinking water, sanitation, housing, education and renewable energy.