For a number of years, vandalism of water and sanitation facilities has been a prominent issue for utilities in the Copperbelt region of Zambia.
A European Commission funded study executed under the Copperbelt Water Operator Partnership aims to identify examples of good practice by the three utilities in the region with regards to servicing low-income communities and reducing non-revenue water (NRW), and to support the adoption of these practices elsewhere in Zambia. The Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) staff believes vandalism hasplayed a significant role in the utility’s relatively poor non-revenue water performance over the past decade. Though NRW figures are always the result of a combination of factors, it is notable that neighbouring Copperbelt utilities also report high levels of both vandalism and NRW: 42% NRW for Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company, and 45% for Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company. Three-pronged approach The NWSCis implementing a three-pronged, integrated approach to vandalism reduction. It consists of improving customer and utility relations, increasing the community’s sense of ownership, and strengthening law enforcement. This approach was not devised as a defined strategy at the outset, but rather developed organically over time as an iterative process. Each of the three core aspects was introduced separately as NWSC’s understanding of the issues grew and common patterns of behaviour were identified. They have been implemented in the Buchi Kamitondo district where a project to improve household sanitation is nearing completion. Early indications are positive and suggest that the approach is bringing about the desired change in behaviour. Improving customer and utility relations The NWSC agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding and developed a close working relationship with the Ministry of Health, through which the two institutions developed a joint hygiene education programme. Working through a Neighbourhood Health Committee (NHC) comprised of staff from the local health clinic and voluntary members of the local community, the important link between health, hygiene, sanitation and water was communicated to the public. Mwangala Chiwala, Community Mobilisation and Sensitisation Specialist for NWSC, notes that these activities focus on the most important local cultural values, for instance, enhancing self-esteem, maintaining dignity and how best to look after your extended family rather than direct health education or the importance of paying utility bills.The NHC also disseminated information on operation and maintenance of facilities and on the negative consequences of vandalism.
Increasing household ownership of infrastructure In order to increase the sense of ownership of contractor-built household toilet facilities, the NWSC introduced a requirement for each household using such a facility to contribute ZMW 5 000 (US $100) towards capital costs. Whilst this is only 10% of the actual cost, this initiative has been a key factor in creating a sense of ownership among community members who will now carry out repairs when they are needed. Strengthening law enforcement Though vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure had been a common occurrence, no arrests, charges or prosecutions had ever been made against perpetrators. There is now an improved system in place in Kitwe, with three important elements:- a Neighbourhood Watch Committee with a mandate to look at issues of security in the local area. The Committee is a community-based policing mechanism comprised of local residents that reports to the NWSC inspectorate team of plumbers, security staff and an inspector
- an NWSC inspector trained in prosecution procedures at the National Institute of Public Administration. The inspector has helped NWSC to interpret laws related to water supply, sanitation and public health and to prepare prosecutions that have led to successful convictions
- an Inspectorate Team within the utility, reporting to the Chief Security Officer under the Human Resources Directorate. The team undertakes regular field inspections to detect vandalism and follows up reported cases of vandalism with the police.
