Examining the contribution of community participation in water resource production and management: perspectives from developing countries
As a result of climate change and rapid urbanization, attention increasingly turns to the management of water resources. Proper management of water resources has become a core concern for development practitioners and national governments, especially in the developing world. Accordingly, Community Participation (CP) has been touted as a viable model for managing water in resource scarce regions. This paper synthesizes literature written both from practice-focused and critical-academic perspectives by (1) examining the historical roots of CP theory and (2) reviewing its contribution in water resource production and management. By focusing on these two areas, the paper engages with the issue of water management in this century of climate change, while tracing the theoretical and historical roots of CP. Furthermore, by providing a comprehensive assessment of community participation and its contribution in water resource production, the paper lays the ground for a more in-depth analysis of CP as a central development strategy. Overall, the findings demonstrate CP as a development theory that was well grounded in the African traditional ethos. Using participatory mechanisms communities have managed to deliver development dividends such as maintenance of watersheds and other environmental preservation activities. On the western front, the role of CP has been well established on the principle of democratic governance. In a similar vein, from the Asian perspective, the concept of participatory development is reflected in the legendary work of Mahatma Gandhi. In the domain of water service, the review demonstrates that CP is the panacea of good governance and development. It leads to promoting and protecting the hygiene quality of potable water, enhances sustainability of water supply systems, and leads to the establishment of well-designed/well-constructed water service facilities. We conclude by suggesting that; (a) managers of community water supplies schemes together with their development partners should support CP as the most viable policy for improving water service delivery in this era of climate change and rapid urbanization and (b) we note that while no doubt remain on the prowess of CP theory as a tool for success in the water service sector, more specific case studies based on comparative evaluation are still needed to synthesize context-specific evidence.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this article
Subscribe and save
Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
- Get 10 units per month
- Download Article/Chapter or eBook
- 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
- Cancel anytime
Buy Now
Price includes VAT (France)
Instant access to the full article PDF.
Rent this article via DeepDyve
Similar content being viewed by others
Towards a pro-community-based water resource management system in Northwest Cameroon: practical evidence and lessons of best practices
Article 14 November 2019
Development Studies: Sustainability and Local Participation in Community-Based Water Resources Utilization: A Case Study of the Matengo Highlands, Tanzania
Chapter © 2022
Water Governance for Sustainable Development: Role of Community Participation, Opportunities and Challenges
Chapter © 2021
References
- Abraham A, Platteau JP (2004) Participatory development: when culture creeps. In: Rao V, Walton M (eds) Culture and public action: a cross-disciplinary dialogue and development policy. Stanford University Press, Palo Alto, pp 210–233 Google Scholar
- Agarwal Bina (2001) Participatory exclusions, community forestry, and gender: an analysis for South Asia and a conceptual framework. World Dev 29(10):1623–1648 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Agrawal Arun (2001) Common property institutions and sustainable governance and resources. World Dev 29(10):1649–1672 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Agrawal Arun, Gupta Krishna (2005) Decentralization and participation: the governance of common pool resources in Nepal’s Terai. World Dev 33(7):11101–11114 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Ananga EO (2015) The role of community participation in water production and management: lessons from sustainable aid in Africa international sponsored water schemes in Kisumu, Kenya
- Ananga EO, Njoh AJ, Pappas C, Ananga GO (2017a) Examining the relationship between community participation and water handling hygiene practices in the informal neighborhoods of Kisumu, Kenya. Habitat Int 62:1–10 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Ananga EO, Njoh AJ, Anchang JY, Akiwumi FA (2017b) Participation-related factors influencing performance in four urban-based community-operated water schemes in Kisumu, Kenya. Commun Dev J 52(2):319–336 Google Scholar
- Ananga EO, Agong’ SG, Acheampong M et al (2020) Examining the effect of community participation on beneficiary satisfaction with the work of water management committee in urban community-based operated water schemes. Sustain Water Resour Manage 6:49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-020-00408-5ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Atampugre N (1997) Aid, NGOs and grassroots development: Northern Burkina Faso. Rev Afr Polit Econ 24(71):57–73 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Biko S (2002) I write what I like: selected writings. University of Chicago University Press, Chicago BookGoogle Scholar
- Bowen GA (2008) An analysis of citizen participation in anti-poverty programmes. Commun Dev J 43(1):65–78 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Brager HJ, Specht I, Torczyner R (1987) Community organizing. Columbia University Press, Columbia Google Scholar
- Braimah I, Filmua N (2011) Community ownership and management of water and sanitation facilities: issues and prospects in the Nadowli district of the upper west region of Ghana. J Sustain Dev Afr 13(3):74–87 Google Scholar
- Bridgen P (2004) Evaluating the empowering potential of community-based health schemes: the case of community health policies in the UK since 1997. Commun Dev J 39(3):289–302 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Brunch C, Jansky L, Nakayama M, Salewic KA (2005) Public participation in the governance of international freshwater resources. United Nations Press, Tokyo Google Scholar
- Burkey S (1993) People first: a guide of self-reliant participatory rural development. Zed Books Ltd, London Google Scholar
- Cartey WG, Kilson M (eds) (1970) The Africa reader: independent Africa. Random House, New York Google Scholar
- Center for Disease Control (2020) online. Global Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Fast Facts https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/wash_statistics.html Accessed 14 June 2020
- Chambers R (1974) Managing rural development ideas and experience from East Africa. Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, Uppsala Google Scholar
- Chambers R (1982) Rural development, putting the last first. Peason Education Limited, London Google Scholar
- Cherlet J, Venot JP (2013) Structure and agency: understanding water policy changes in West Africa. Water Policy 15(3):479–495 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Chitonge H (2011) A decade of implementing water services reform in Zambia: review of outcomes, challenges and opportunities. Water Altern 4(3):279 Google Scholar
- Cohen JM, Uphoff NT (1980) Participation’s place in rural development; seeking clarity through specificity. World Dev 8(2):213–235 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Cole GDH (1920) Guild socialism. Fabian Society, London Google Scholar
- Cornwall A (2008) Unpacking participation; models, meaning and practices. Commun Dev J 43(3):269–283 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Crouch B, Chamala S (1979) Agricultural extension and education. Wiley, London Google Scholar
- Delli Priscoli J, Lamas MR (2001) International perspective on ethical dilemmas in the water industry. In: Davis Cheryl et al (eds) Navigating rough waters: ethical issues in the water industry. American Water Works Association, Denver, pp 58–59 Google Scholar
- Derman B, Hellum A (2007) Livelihood rights perspective on water reform: reflections on rural Zimbabwe. Land Use Policy 24(4):664–673 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Elliot C (1976) Patterns of poverty in the Third World. Praeger, London Google Scholar
- Fals-Borda O (1988) Knowledge and people power. Indian Social Institute, New Dehli Google Scholar
- Fuest V (2005) Demand-oriented community water supply in Ghana: policies, practices and outcomes. LIT Verlag, Munster Google Scholar
- Fuglesang A, Chandler D (1986) Participation as process: what we can learn from Grameen bank, Bangladesh. NORAD, Olso Google Scholar
- Galjart B (1981) Participatory development projects: some conclusions from research. Sociologia Ruralis (Assen, Netherlands) 21(2):142–159 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Galjart B, Buijs D (eds) (1982) Participation of the poor in development. University of Leiden, Institute of Cultural and Social Studies, Leiden Google Scholar
- Gandhi MK (1962) Towards non-violent socialism. Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad Google Scholar
- Goldin JA (2010) Water policy in South Africa: trust and knowledge as obstacles to reform. Rev Radic Polit Econ 42(2):195–212 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Gopakumar G (2010) Transforming water supply regimes in India: do public–private partnerships have a role to play? Water Alternat 3:3 Google Scholar
- Harvey PA, Reed RA (2007) Community-managed water supplies in Africa: sustainable or dispensable? Commun Dev J 42(3):365–378 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Hickey S, Mohan G (2004) Towards participation as transformation: critical themes and challenges. In: Hickey S, Mohan G (eds) Participation: from tyranny to transformation. Zed Books, London Google Scholar
- IFAD (2002) Environment and Natural Resource Management, IFADs growing commitment. http://www.ifad.org/pub/enviorn/EnvironENG.pdf
- Isham J, Kahkonen S (2001) Institutional determinants of the impact of community-based water services: evidence from Sri Lanka and India. Econ Dev Cult Change 50(3):667–691 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Kabila RM (2002) Participation evaluation of community based water and sanitation programs; The case of central Tanzania. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Kansas State University, Manhattan Kansas
- Kaunda KD (1967) Humanism in Zambia and its implementation. Zambia Information Services, Lusaka Google Scholar
- Kleemeier E (2000) The impact of participation on sustainability: an analysis of the Malawi Rural Piped Scheme Program. World Dev 28(5):929–944 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Lenaerts L, Dondeyne S, Breusers M, Bauer H, Haile M, Deckers J (2013) Water for all and all for water? Governmental interventions affecting property of natural resources in Northern Ethiopia. Soc Nat Res 26(11):1300–1313 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Magala JM, Kabonesa C, Staines A (2015) Lived experiences of women as principal gatekeepers of water management in rural Uganda. In: Linnane S, McGuigan KG, Fagan H, Rugumayo A (eds) Water is life. Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, pp 31–42 ChapterGoogle Scholar
- Maine H (1876) Village communities in the East and West. John Murray, London Google Scholar
- Manikutty S (1997) Community participation: so what? Evidence from a comparative study of two rural water supply and sanitation projects in India. World Dev Policy Rev 15(2):115–140 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Mansuri G, Rao V (2004) Community-based and driven development: a critical review. World Bank Res Observer 19(1):1–39 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Mansuri G, Rao V (2013) Localizing development—does participation work?. World Bank Publications, Geneva Google Scholar
- Mathbor GM (2008) Effective community participation in coastal development. Lyceum Books, Oxford Google Scholar
- Mathew B (2005) Ensuring sustained beneficial outcomes for water and sanitation programmes in the developing world. IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, Den Haag, pp 1–223 Google Scholar
- Mill JS (1859) On liberty. John W. Parker and Son, London Google Scholar
- Mill JS (1879) Chapters on socialism
- Mishra AD (2002) Rediscovering Gandhi. A Mittal Publication, New Delhi Google Scholar
- Morrissey J (2000) Indicators of citizen participation: lessons from learning teams in rural EZ/EC communities. Oxford Univ Press Commun Dev J 35(1):59–74 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Mosse D (2002) People’s knowledge, participation and patronage: operations and representations in rural development. In: Narayan D (ed) Empowerment and poverty reduction: a sourcebook. World Bank, Washington DC Google Scholar
- Nagle JW (1992) Policy and practice of community participation in the US Agency for International Development. Harvard Institute for International Development, Harvard Google Scholar
- Naiga R (2018) Conditions for successful community-based water management: perspectives from rural Uganda. Int J Rural Manage 14(2):110–135 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Naiga R, Penker M (2014) Determinants of users’ willingness to contribute to safe water provision in rural Uganda. Lex Localis 12(3):695 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Naiga R, Penker M, Hogl K (2015) Challenging pathways to safe water access in rural Uganda: from supply to demand-driven water governance. Int J Commons 9:1 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Naiga R, Penker M, Hogl K (2017) Women’s crucial role in collective operation and maintenance of drinking water infrastructure in rural Uganda. Soc Nat Res 30(4):506–520 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Narayan D (1995) The contribution of people’s participation: evidence from 121 rural water supply projects. Environmentally Sustainable Development Occasional Paper Series No. 1. The World Bank, Washington DC
- Njoh AJ (2002) Barriers to community participation in development planning; lessons from Mutengene (Cameroon) self-help water project. Commun Dev J 37(3):233–248 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Njoh AJ (2003) The role of community participation in public works projects in LDCs: the case of the Bonadikombo, Limbe (Cameroon) Self-Help Water Supply Project. Int Dev Plan Rev 25(1):85–103 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Nkrumah K (1965) Neo-colonialism, the last stage of imperialism. Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd, London Google Scholar
- Nkrumah K (1970) Class struggle in Africa. Panaf Books, New York Google Scholar
- Nyerere JK (1967) The Arusha Declaration http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/thearushadeclarationtenyearsafter.pdf
- Nyerere JK (1968) Freedom and socialism: a selection from writings and speeches. Oxford University Press, Oxford Google Scholar
- Obote AM (1969) The common man’s charter. The Government Printer, Entebbe Google Scholar
- Ostrom E (1990) Governing the commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge BookGoogle Scholar
- Ostrom E, Gardner R, Walker J, Walker JM, Walker J (1994) Rules, games, and common-pool resources. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor BookGoogle Scholar
- Otunnu O (2015) Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s philosophy, contribution, and legacies. Afr Ident 13(1):18–33 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Parfitt T (2004) The ambiguity of participation: a qualified defense of participatory development. Third World Quart 25(3):537–555 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Paul S (1987) Community participation in development projects: the World Bank experience. The World Bank, Washington DC Google Scholar
- Pearse A, Stiefel M (1979) Inquiry into participation. UNRISD, Geneva Google Scholar
- Postel S (1997) Last Oasis, facing water scarcity. Norton and Company, New York Google Scholar
- Poteete AR, Janssen MA, Ostrom E (2010) Working together: collective action, the commons, and multiple methods in practice. Princeton University Press, Princeton BookGoogle Scholar
- Prokopy LS (2005) The relationship between participation and project outcomes: evidence from rural water supply projects in India. World Dev 33(11):1801–1819 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Rahman MA (1985) Participation of the rural poor in development. ILO, Geneva Google Scholar
- Rahman MA (1987) Theoretical and methodological questions in the promotion of people’s participation in rural development. ILO, Geneva Google Scholar
- Roling N (1987) Extension and the development of human resources: the other tradition in extension education. In: Jones GE (ed) Investing in rural extension: strategies and goals. Elsevier, New York Google Scholar
- Rousseau Jean-Jacques (1762) Du contrat social ou principes du droit politique. France
- Sara J, Davis J (2012) Does user participation leads to sense of ownership for rural water systems? Evidence from Kenya. World Dev 40(8):1569–1576 ArticleGoogle Scholar
- Sara J, Katz T (1998) Making rural water supply sustainable: report on the impact of project rules. The World Bank, Washington DC Google Scholar
- Senghor LS (1996) African socialism – Address given to the American Society of African Culture. In: Asante MK, Abarry AS (eds) African intellectual heritage: a book of sources. Temple University Press, Philadelphia, pp 342–353 Google Scholar
- Stoker G (1997) Local political participation in Hambleton, R et al new perspectives on local governance: reviewing the research evidence, Joseph Rowntree Foundation pp 157–196
- UNCED (1992) Agenda 21: Programme of action for sustainable development: Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, UNCED Secretariat
- UNCED (1992). Development and the Environment, Oxford University Press
- Westergaard K (1986) People participation, local government and rural development: The case of West Bengal, India. CDR Research Report – Copenhagen Center for Development Research
- World Bank (1995) The World Bank Participation Sourcebook, the International Bank for Reconstruction and development. World Bank, Washington, DC Google Scholar
- World Bank (2004). Community-Based and driven development; A critical review by Ghazala Mansuri and Vijayendra Rao, Policy Research Working Paper, New York
- Wraight CD (2008) Rousseau’s the social contract: a reader’s guide. Continuum Books, London Google Scholar
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
- Department of Politics, Law and Society, East Central University, 1100E. 14th St., Ada, OK, 74820, USA Erick O. Ananga
- Department of Development Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Resty Naiga
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya Stephen G. Agong’
- School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA Ambe J. Njoh
- Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, East Central University, 1100E. 14th St., Ada, OK, 74820, USA Haley P. Vickers
- Erick O. Ananga