Steps Towards Implementing A Successful Water Improvement Project

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Step 1: Gather Background Data on the Overall Need, Target Population, and Feasibility. Assess the needs through answering the following questions (See Needs Assessment):
  • Epidemiological Data (Health and Illness Data): How common are diarrheal  diseases and cholera outbreaks? Who are most affected by diarrheal  diseases and cholera? 
  • Water Infrastructure: What percentage of the population (urban and rural) have access to safe drinking water? What areas have the least access to safe drinking water? Within the source of water used by the target population, what is the overall micro-biologic quality?
  • Water Handling Practices: Who is responsible for collecting the water supplies within the household and community? How is the water collected? Where (in the house?) and how is the water (types of water storage units/jugs) stored? Is any water filtration or treatment done?
  • Economic and Support Aspects: How will the water treatment/filtration be paid for(locally by the residents or externally)? Are donors available to help fund the project?  What governmental,NGOs, and civil organizations are available to help implement the project?
Step 2: After Deciding to Implement a Project, the Projects Objectives Must be Set.
  • Decide on the overall goals of the project, including who the target population will be.
  • Set goals that are realistic and measurable. BE SPECIFIC
  • An Example Objectives For a Safe Water Project:
    1. Increasing access to the intervention (products)
        1.1 Sell 20,000 bottles of disinfectant in first 3 months
        1.2 Sell 1,000 water storage vessels in first 3 months
    2. Changing water treatment and storage behaviors
        2.1 70% of target population will recognize the brand name of the Safe Water System products (vessel and                                                 disinfectant) after 6 months
        2.2 30% of households will report use of approved water storage vessel and disinfectant after 6 months
        2.3 25% of households will have knowledge of correct dose of disinfectant after 6 months
        2.4 25% of households will have observed safe water storage practices after 6 months
        2.5 10% of households will have measurable residual free chlorine levels >0.2 mg/liter after 6 months
        2.6 10% of households will have zero E. coli colonies in stored water after 6 months
    3. Improving health
        3.1 Reduce diarrhea rates in target population by 20% after 1 year
    4. Achieving satisfaction
        4.1 80% of users in target population will report satisfaction with products after 6 months
Step 3: Draft a Proposal to Potential Donors  to Obtain Project Funding and Support
 Step 4: Create a Team for Your Water Improvement Project
  • Specify role of governmental agencies, NGOs, other civil and private organizations
  • Determine Management and Staff
  • Select Donors and Monitors
Step 5: Select Products to be Used and Implemented
  • Choose products based which product can most effectively achieve your project's objectives and goals
  • For a list of products based on the household and community level please go to the Products tab. Within this tab information regarding the products description, recommendations, limitations, and costs are provided. 

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Step 6: Determine How to Distribute the Products and Gain Acceptance of the Products for Use by the Target Population. Plan for Product Distribution and Behavioral Change
  • Will your project use governmental actors, NGOs, commercial organizations, or other methods to distribute the water filtration products chosen for implementation?
  • How will you distribute the product to make sure people accept it and use it in their home and community?
  • Individuals must understand the importance of having access to clean water and the health and economic benefits that potable water can provide
  • Social, cultural, educational, and economic factors must be assessed in determining the best distribution method
  • One method of determining the best distribution method is to create a chart with the pros and cons of each method. For example: A Distribution Methods Assessment 
  • Train staff on how to use the product and prepare staff to teach the target population  how to use and implement the water filtration product
  • Create distribution program that includes quantities to be distributed, who will receive the product, and a general distribution timeline
Step 7: Plan a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
  • Monitoring and evaluation programs provide information on the successes and failure of the program
  • Monitoring and evaluation highlight changes that need to be made to make the program more effective
  • Monitoring provides data and information on the project as the project is going on
  • Evaluation collects data before and after the project to see how the project helped to improve the access to clean water
  • For more information on the key parts of a monitoring and evaluation plan, visit MIT's website on  Monitoring and Evaluation
Step 8: Implement Your Water Improvement Project


Sources: Shirety, P.W., et al.Safe ProjectsSafe Water Systems for theDeveloping World:A Handbook for ImplementingHousehold-Based Water Treatmentand Safe Storage Projects. Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 25 April 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/manual/sws_manual.pdf
Picture Sources: Water Projects: Ghana. Amurt Africa. 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011, from http://www.africa.amurt.net/ghana/ and jabode.com