Water source protection, which includes the capturing of a water source, the construction of a water collection tank or reservoir, and -usually- the laying of PVC water pipes and installation of one or more water taps, has consistently been the most popular activity selected in participatory appraisal and planning exercises at the community level. Water source protection works are jointly implemented by the local population, organized in user groups, and the project. The user groups provide local material, as well as unskilled labour, and the project provides outside materials, as well as skilled labour. About 60 water sources have been treated to date by the project in the Bhusunde Khola watershed in the period of 2050 - 2054 (approximately 1993-1997).
An evaluation was carried out in the dry month of Jesth 2054 (May-June 1997), which covered 52 protected water sources and 76 water points. Results were compared with the results of a similar evaluation, carried out in the dry month of Chaitra 2052 (March-April 1996), which covered 25 protected water sources and 45 water points.
Data are presented on the number and functioning of protected water sources and water points, cleanliness of water tanks and cleaning arrangements, water pipe leakage, presence and functioning of water taps, water point sanitary conditions, and quality and quantity of water flow.
Some older tanks had cracked as a result of mass soil movement. In certain areas, all available water sources seem to have been treated, except for marginal sources. Though there was evidence of wear and tear and deterioration with age, this seemed to be more related to the presence or absence of cleaning arrangements than to the age of the installation.
Several positive trends are observed in cleanliness, care and maintenance, especially when comparing data of the 1996 and 1997 evaluations concerning water source protection works completed in 2050 and 2051. This is explained by the more active role user groups, and especially women groups, are playing in the construction and maintenance of water source protection works.
It is noted that the evaluation could be improved by including questions concerning the user groups, and how they organize and pay for maintenance. It was also recommended to include questions regarding the actual use of the water.
