Analysing management of pumps in water supply systems for town councils in Uganda: a case of Wakiso District

Abstract

This study analysed the management of water pump supply systems in Wakiso District. The study was guided by four study objectives which included assessing the current state of water pumps, examining the management practices of pumps for Water supply systems, establishing the limitations for managing water pumps in Wakiso District. The study used cross sectional research design while considering both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. It targeted sample size of 49 respondents, however, 46 respondents managed to respond back. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interview guide. The study revealed that the current state of the water pumps in Wakiso district is averagely good. The water pumps were reliable, accessible and user friendly. It was also established that water pump management practices in place were lacking. Despite some water pumps being fenced with a security personnel, having enough knowledge on the functionality and management of the water pumps, having technical personnel being always available, it was revealed that repairs are not properly and often done in time, water user fees charges from the community is not enough, spare parts of water pumps are difficult to access and they are very expensive. Among the limitations included pumps being expensive in operation and maintenance (fuel and electricity, spares and lubricants), fuels and fumes posing health risks, lack of enough funds and some spare parts of pumps not readily available on market which limits the effectiveness of water pumps in Wakiso district. To overcome such limitation, the study revealed that there is need for routine pump maintenance and proper operation, government increasing the budget for water pump project, urging community water users to pay their water bills, routine capacity building of water committees and engaging electricity service providers (UMEME) to provide clean loads through their transformers and installing voltage power stabilisers to reduce power fluctuations