Hand dug wells - Field experience from Ethiopia

Despite the efforts of Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations during the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, many communities in rural Ethiopia are still without access to a reliable supply of potable water. Some of these efforts have already ended in failure. Why is this? What have we learnt? How can we improve? Oxfam and the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority have gained some experience in the different components required for a sustainable hand dug well water supply. The emphasis of near future work will be rehabilitation of existing projects rather than construction of new.