The Case for Source Water Protection in WASH Systems: Entry Points and Opportunities

While the business case for investing in source water protection has become increasingly clearer, there are many hurdles that need to be addressed by basin and WASH managers, affected communities and the private sector, and local government officials. In light of these challenges, source water protection requires more than resource mobilization. Four crosscutting and interrelated recommendations for mitigating challenges to elevating source water protection within WASH emerged from case studies in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Peru and Honduras.

1. Basin managers and WASH providers need to define shared goals for source water protection.
2. Source water protection efforts should be informed by the sources of demand and types of water users within the WASH district and basin.
3. Multisector stakeholder collaboration can make source water protection measures more sustainable.
4. Funding must be sustained and resources effectively allocated for sustainable source water protection.

This resource was produced by USAID's Sustainable Water Partnership (SWP).

Related Resources

• Uganda Water Resources Profile
• Kenya Water Resources Profile
• Tanzania Water Resources Profile