Collective planning and management of rural water infrastructure in developing countries: A case study of community boreholes in Chiredzi district, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Collective planning and management of water is increasingly recognised as a necessary strategy for the long-term sustainability of rural water infrastructure. In developing countries, a significant number of water schemes such as community-owned boreholes have generated mixed feelings and attitudes among user communities. Part of the causes of these mixed feelings and attitudes lie in poor understanding of community collective action and sustainability. Using the experiences of the Sengwe communal lands in the Chiredzi District in Zimbabwe as a case study, this thesis investigates collective planning and management of rural water infrastructure in developing countries. The thesis examines whether the nature of village boundaries, the population size of borehole users and the local institutions influence collective action in management of communityowned boreholes. The study relies on methodologies derived from the phenomenology paradigm, collective action theories, design principles, social ecological systems and new institutionalism analytical approaches to analyse the factors that influence collective management of rural water infrastructure in Sengwe communal lands. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in the study. A qualitative elicitation interviewing technique at ward and village levels, involving field surveys, semi-structured interviews and in-depth discussions with ward councillors, village heads and members of the borehole management committees was used. The participants were selected through chain referrals. In addition, direct field observations, document analysis and key informant interviews with other respondents selected through theoretical sampling enhanced the robustness of data acquisition methods. Group-based participatory data analysis and reflexive pragmatism also enhanced rigor and quality of research findings intended to balance between the strictures of the scientific audience and the views of the knowledge generators. The study found out that most village boundaries were not clearly defined and thereby creating problems in collective management of community boreholes. Large population size of user groups was also undermining collective action. Further, the study established that the level of proprietorship given to local people over water infrastructure was limited and local communities did not have full ownership to exercise power and control over access to and use of water resources. Implications for the future is to develop a new land use plan showing clearly defined boundaries of each ward, village and for village members. The databases on various aspects of the ward and village need to be developed in order to assist policy makers, planners and local leadership in planning and making decisions regarding management of water and other resources. The establishment and maintenance of rural infrastructure should go hand in hand with creating or strengthening community tenure over land and resources and enabling decision-making to take place at the lowest appropriate level within user communities. In addition, a considerable amount of capacity building needs to be carried out before these institutions can be effectively operational. More attention should be paid to appropriate designing and planning of water infrastructure management in rural communities