Water & Sanitation Knowledge Management in Rural Cameroon

Mobilising knowledge for sustainable development

Master's Thesis , 2010 , 65 Pages

Politics - Topic: Development Politics

The purpose of this study is to move beyond conventional thinking on rural water (and sanitation) infrastructure and resource management. The study acknowledges the existence of other water management and sanitation tools but it engages its argument from a knowledge management perspective. In most rural areas, water and sanitation projects have been implemented and community members only enjoy these facilities for a short time. Why? The reason is simple. Most donors and governments are often concerned with the specificity of their projects/programmes, long-term sustainability is rarely guaranteed and those who are left to manage these water systems lack the necessary capacities (skills & knowledge). Consequently, after few years of implementation most water supply are been closed down while sanitation structures are fast deteriorating due to poor management and lack of post-project government/donor support. This study on water and sanitation knowledge management (WKM) highlights some of these pitfalls in rural Cameroon; it acknowledges the fact that knowledge is always incomplete and that rural water supply systems are in themselves a complex and dynamic system involving risks and uncertainties. The study takes a look at the recent literatures on water resource management and rural water supply systems and the range of technological and institutional approaches that have been applied in the past years in an attempt to increase access and/or reduce inequality. By examining key reasons why the resource has proven so difficult to manage, I came to the conclusion that, in many cases, the most promising solutions may lie outside highly conventional technological and institutional approaches. The WKM model focuses on enhancing the generation, flow, and use of knowledge and information to enable communities achieve better results or quality services. This study is based on the need to build the capacity of - and also utilize the various skills and knowledge available within - rural communities to support decision-making processes on how to better manage, operate and maintain water supply systems as well as promote better sanitation and hygiene.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• Acronyms
• Acknowledgement
• Chapter 1. Introduction
• Prologue
• The Rationale
• Knowledge management
• Water & Sanitation
• Objective of the study: linking KM to W/S
• Water Knowledge Management: a concept
• Rural Water supply
• Background Information of Study Area
• The State of Water in Cameroon
• Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework
• Introduction: global stance of water and sanitation
• Current Trends in Water Resource Management
• Integrated Water Resource Management
• Privatization and Commodification
• Community-led water management (CLWM)
• Water Governance: Local institutions managing water
• Multi-stakeholder Forum: participatory water resource & infrastructure management
• Water, Science & Technology
• Conclusions
• Chapter 3. Case Study: Kwa-Kwa Bakundu, Cameroon
• Introduction
• Research Methodology & Data Collection
• Rural Water Systems: the case of Kwa-kwa Bakundu
• Drinking Water
• Sanitation & Hygiene
• WKM: the Way Out!
• Conclusion
• Chapter 4. Analysis
• Introduction
• W/S-KM Dynamics in rural Cameroon
• Implications for Development
• Critique: debating sustainability through KM
• Establishing Resiliency and Robustness through an effective KM
• Chapter 5. Conclusion and Recommendation
• Summary
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
• Policy Implications
• Appendices
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study examines the complex relationship between knowledge management and the sustainability of rural water and sanitation projects in Cameroon. It goes beyond conventional infrastructure-centric approaches, focusing on the crucial role of knowledge and information flow within communities. The main objective is to explore how water and sanitation knowledge management (WKM) can enhance community capacity and contribute to the long-term success of water supply systems and sanitation practices.

• The limitations of traditional water infrastructure projects in rural areas
• The importance of knowledge management in ensuring sustainable water and sanitation systems
• The challenges and opportunities of community-led water management in Cameroon
• The role of technology and institutional approaches in improving access to clean water and sanitation
• The development of a WKM model to empower rural communities and enhance their capacity to manage water resources

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: This chapter provides a general introduction to the study and its rationale. It explores the concept of knowledge management and its relevance to water and sanitation in rural settings. It also introduces the study area and its unique water challenges.
• Chapter 2: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework of water resource management, examining global trends and approaches such as Integrated Water Resource Management, privatization, and community-led water management. It also discusses the role of water governance, multi-stakeholder forums, and the impact of science and technology on water management.
• Chapter 3: This chapter presents a case study of Kwa-Kwa Bakundu in Cameroon, investigating the current state of water and sanitation systems in the region. It also explores the potential of WKM to address the identified challenges and improve the management of water supply systems and sanitation practices.
• Chapter 4: This chapter analyzes the dynamics of water and sanitation knowledge management in rural Cameroon, highlighting its implications for development. It discusses the challenges of achieving sustainability through KM and explores ways to build resilience and robustness through effective knowledge management practices.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on the critical themes of water and sanitation knowledge management in rural Cameroon, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, sustainable development, and the use of knowledge and information as tools for building resilient water systems and promoting sanitation practices. Key concepts explored include community-led water management, integrated water resource management, participatory approaches, technology transfer, capacity building, and the role of local institutions in ensuring the long-term success of water and sanitation initiatives.

• College: University of Sussex (Institute of Development Studies)
• Author: M.A. Linus Elangwe (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 65
• Catalog Number: V191942
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656176626
• ISBN (Book): 9783656177708
• Language: English
• Tags: water and sanitation in Cameroon, rural water supply systems, knowledge management, kwa-kwa bakundu, mbonge sub-division, kombone mission, CAMWATER, Institute of Development Studies, African Development Bank