A study of the factors affecting sustainability of rural water supplies in Tanzania

4 Participation can take different forms, including the initial expression of the demand for water, the selection of technology and its siting, the provision of labour and local materials, a cash contribution to the project costs, the selection of the management type and even the water tariff (Harvey & Reed, 2006). [...] The operation of the scheme ceased in March 2006 with the onset of the rains, and the VWC Chairperson said that a bank account would be opened with the first month’s contribution from the PO once operation is resumed. [...] The Village Government determine the amount of grain required to pay for a bucket of water, and the grain is then sold by the VWC and the money put into the water fund. [...] The problem with the flat-rate system is that without knowledge of the exact amount of money that the system generates, it is possible for the PO to make large profits at the expense of the growth of the water fund. [...] A balance must be struck between the gains of the water fund and those of the PO, and there is not the capacity, or perhaps even the consciousness in the village to challenge and evaluate the situation.