The Impact of Implementing the D-Washe programmes in Chanyanya Community-Kafue District, Zambia: What role has the National Water Policy(1994)played?

Abstract

The government of Zambia in 1996 adopted the WASHE (Water, Sanitation, and Health Education) concept as a national strategy for the delivery of Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) Services. The strategy facilitates the involvement of the rural population in determining priorities, selection of affordable and sustainable technology, management, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, and Knowledge to improving health and hygiene practices in rural communities. The strategy is being implemented through the Local Authorities and District (D)-Water Sanitation Health Education (WASHEs), which are part of the formal district level planning process under the new institutional arrangements which mandate the local authorities with the responsibility of Water Supply and Sanitation Service provision.This dissertation was looking at the “Impact of Implementing the D-WASHE Programmes in Chanyanya Community in Kafue District. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative methods of research to give both general and actual overviews of the water and sanitation situation in Chanyanya Community. Results from the study suggest that sanitation facilities in Chanyanya community were inadequate and many (27%) people opted to use open defecation (OD) to answer the call of nature. This has been seen as a source of contamination of unprotected surface water sources such as shallow wells. The poor sanitation situation can be attributed to the fact that, the use of latrines for safe and hygienically disposal of human waste is not a felt need by the rural population. Results also show that all samples collected had Coliforms and Feacal Coliforms that contained some presence of bacteria which was not healthy for human consumption if the levels exceeded the count of 10. In conclusion, the lack of proper sanitary facilities has been seen to have negative impacts on human health hence measures should be put in place to improve the situation. Unlike the 1994 National Water Policy, that concentrated its measures on improving mainly the water supply situation in rural areas, Millennium Development Goals on Water and Sanitation to concentrate on sanitation if health problems are to improve. There is need for government to increase funding in the WASHE programs particularly those that improve access to clean water and sanitary services.