Wetland Water Supplies: Assessing the Impact of

Wetland Water Supplies:
Assessing the Impact of Human Disturbance of wetlands
and Identifying Management Solutions in Metu Wereda, Illubabor
Zone, Ethiopia
A wetland spring used for water collection in Metu Wereda
The Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association
Final Report for Sida
February 2003
Acknowledgment
The implementation of this project was made possible with the financial support from
Sweden Embassy in AA. EWNRA is greatly indebted for the support of the Embassy, which
has enabled us to collect vital information on wetland water supply status in Illubabor Zone.
With the support of the Embassy this project couldn’t be a successful history. The support
has also boosted EWNRAs interest to continue to work in the field of wetlands.
Metu Wereda and Illubabor Zone Agricultural Offices deserve especial thanks for facilitating
the implementation of this project and assigning staff members to take part in all activities
through out the project life.
EWNRA thanks all the institutions and individuals within the project wereda who generously
supported us for the successful implementation of the project.
ii
Abstract
The findings from the study undertaken in Metu Wereda in Illubabor Zone on the status of
wetland water supply has revealed that wetlands have an important role in supply of potable
water for the rural communities. Twenty three percent of the studied households depend on
wetland water springs for water supply all year round. In some kebeles studied the
corresponding figure is as high as 57% percent.
Further 27% of livestock owners are dependent on wetlands for water supply for livestock.
Whilst another 21% of livestock owners uses wetlands and rivers exchangeable for water
supply. This implies that a total of 48% livestock owners are dependent in wetland water
supply in one or another way for their livestock.
Wetlands are also important natural resources that supply reeds for thatching local tukuls in
Metu Wereda and 69% of the studied households uses chaffee or reeds for thatching purpose
harvested from wetlands.
However, the sustainability of wetlands as an important water supplier is under great threat
from human intervention such as an intensive catchment deforestation for agricultural use,
wetland drainage, over and year round grazing, planting of eucalyptus trees in the wetland
catchment, erosion and siltation from adjoining agricultural lands and over use of water from
the springs. In addition population pressure has also an adverse impact on the ability of
wetland water supply status.
This study has also highlighted the role that women play in collection of water for home
consumption in rural Metu. Out of the total water collected for domestic use the proportion of
water collected by women group remains significant. Women play a major role in
encouraging undertaking the necessary care for keeping the quality and sustainability of
water supply. It is only 6% of the studied households get safe/clean water in rural Illubabor.
There is a significant diarrhoea problem and over twelve months before the study 36.66% of
the respondent has a problem of diarrhoea within their family and additional 9% have
reported that they had water associated diseases within their family.
iii
Table of content
Pages
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of content
ii
iii
iv
1. Introduction
1
2. Objective and Methodology of the study and data analysis
2.1 Overall objectives of the study
2.2 Methodology of the study
2.3 Data analysis
3
3
3
3
3. Review of wetlands and the water supply situation in Metu Wereda
4
4. Description of Metu Wereda
4.1 Metu Wereda geographical location and area
4.2 Climate
4.3 Geology
4.4 Soils
4.5 Population
4.6 Landscape
6
6
6
6
6
6
8
5. Discussion of the results from the study
5.1 The results from general field survey
5.2 The results from household survey
5.2.1 Sources of potable water supply in rural Metu
5.2.2 Safe/clean water facilities and users in Metu Wereda
5.2.3 Quantity of water use for different services within the
household
5.2.4 Proportion of water collected by family members in
the studied HH
5.2.5 Per capita water consumption at individual and HH level
5.2.6 Opinions of HH on the quality of water collected for use
5.2.7 Indigenous wetland water supply management practices
5.2.8 Time spent in water collection
5.3 Wetland water supply for livestock
5.4 Other wetland benefits assessed
9
9
9
12
14
14
14
15
15
16
17
17
17
6. PRA findings
6.1 Group I wetland water springs history
6.2 Group II wetland water springs history
6.3 Wetland water spring users and impacts on water use from
different socio-economic groups
6.4 Types of human intervention impacted wetland water supply
6.5 Indigenous wetland water supply management measures or practices
18
18
21
7. Major human impacts on wetland water supply status
26
22
25
25
iv
8. Indigenous management measures practiced by the local communities
to improve/sustain water supply from wetland springs
29
9. Awareness creation and information dissemination at wereda and zonal level
31
10. Assessment of EWRP and EWNRA recommendations for sustainable
wetland management
33
11. Conclusions and recommendations
34
12. Financial statement
37
13. References
38
List of Tables
Table 1. Wetland uses and beneficries in Illubabor Zone
Table 2. Metu Wereda Landuse/cover 2001
Table 3. Potable water sources and size of HH depend on them
Table 4. Potable water sources and size of HH depend on studied kebeles
Table 5. Proportion of safe/clean water users in the studied kebeles
Table 6. HH size received education on safe water uses
Table 7. Households reported waterborne diseases over the last twelve months
Table 8. Water use type within the family
Table 9. Amount of water collected by family members for daily use
Table 10. Opinion of studied HH on the quality of the water the use
Table 11. Opinion of water users on water schemes type
Table 12. Summary of indigenous management practices
Table 13. Source of water supply for livestock
Table 14. Roofing materials used in rural Metu
Table 15. PRA estimates of water use per HH
Table 16. Estimates of HH dependent on the wetland water springs studied
Table 17. Approved and utilissed budget
4
8
10
11
12
13
14
14
15
16
16
16
17
17
24
24
37
List of figures
Figure 1. Metu wereda map
7
List of annexes
Annex I. List of kebeles general assessment undertaken
Annex II. List of kebeles surveyed and size of household studied
from each kebele
Annex III. PRA discussion points
Annex IV. List of communities participated in PRA discussion
Annex V. List of awareness creation workshop participants and
organization they represent
39
39
40
43
43
v
1. Introduction
Water is one of the vital and most important natural resource of all natural resources for
living organisms, major ecosystems and human beings. At present population growth and
urbanization have placed unprecedented demands for water resources and the supply of fresh
is becoming scarce. The scarcity of water has an adverse effect either on the ecosystem and
human beings as well. Fourteen countries in Africa are already experiencing water stress;
another 11 countries are expected to join them by 2025 (WWF 2002). Ethiopia is one of them
in Sub Saharan Africa that has a significant water scarcity despite a presence of a number of
rivers and abundant rainfall.
Almost half of the African population suffers from one of the six major water-bone diseases.
Every day, 650 people die from diarrhoea in Africa, mainly children under five years of age
(Ibid). Ethiopia is not different than such scenario. Ethiopia has a low level of safe water
supply system and the people suffers from extended water borne diseases. Further the
shortage of water can seriously affect wildlife as well.
Food production is dependent on the availability of water to produce food and to feed the
human race on the planet. The sustainability of agricultural production is under question mark
with out the presence of enough water to support and grow crops. Agriculture, fishery,
wildlife and others are dependent on water and these are a major life support system for
human kinds. From this it could be ease to understand that water plays a vital and major role
to sustain human kind on the planet.
Water availability and its quality as well important both for human use as well for ecosystems
existence and functioning. Water that is deficient in its quality has an adverse effect both on
human’s health and ecosystems functioning. Most people suffer from use of water that has
poor quality. As stated in CGIAR Challenge Program on Water Food Paper (2002) more than
1 billion people are without safe drinking water. Twice that number lack adequate sanitation.
And more than 3 million people die every year from diseases caused by unsafe water. In
Africa almost half of the population suffers from one of the six major water-borne diseases.
Every day, 650 people die from diarrhoea in Africa, mainly children under five years of age
(WWF 2002). The condition in Ethiopia is not different than other African countries given
the low level of safe water supply system in the country.
The availability of water is affected by many factors and agriculture is the largest consumer
of the water available on the planet. Increased competition for water in agricultural and nonagricultural sectors in developing countries reduce the access to water for the rural poor,
especially rural women. Increased water scarcity leads to frequent conflicts, loss of life, and
generally to the marginalizing of the poor and powerless in terms of access to fresh water.
Wetland ecosystems in addition to many other economic benefits they provide and function
they perform or play an important role in water cycle. They are a major source of potable
water for millions of inhabitants across the planet. Wetland ecosystems are not only suppliers
of water they play a major role in maintaining the quality of water through filtration of
polluted water.
1
In Ethiopia wetlands play a major role in supplying potable water and water for livestock and
wildlife. Similarly in rural Illubabor wetlands are one of the major sources of potable water.
An estimated 50-100% of people in rural Illubabor and an estimated 30% livestock owners
are dependent on wetlands for water supply (Afework et al. 2000) and the condition in rural
Metu is not different. Further many people are dependent on wetland water springs for
sanitation and livestock. Continuous and unplanned drainage of wetlands is leading to the
drying up of wetland water springs hence the loss of valuable resource. Loss of water has a
direct impact on the women who are the traditional care takers of the family and water
collector in rural Ethiopia.
Thus this study is aimed to assess the wetland water supply status and impact from human
intervention on the wetland water supply condition and traditional management practices in
Metu Wereda in Illubabor Zone of Oromia Regional State in Southwest Ethiopia.
2
2. Objective and methodology of the study and data analysis
2.1 The overall objective of the study
The overall objective of the study is to assess:
• the wetland water supply status in Metu Wereda,
• the impact of wetland disturbance upon wetland water supply,
• the current wetland water management practices exercised by local communities,
• to evaluate the contribution of multiple use of wetlands information provided by
EWRP to the community and
• using local knowledge as a base to develop some management approaches for future
water springs management.
2.2 Methodology of the study
In order to acquire the necessary information and data from the field the following
methodologies were deployed:
• Complete enumeration of dry land and wetland springs in randomly selected twenty
four kebeles within Metu wereda,
• Questionnaire survey was undertaken in randomly selected 1102 households in 13
kebeles that were also selected randomly,
• Assessment in nine communities with the help of PRA tools on IK that communities
developed over years and used to manage their wetland springs was undertaken.
These communities were identified during the field assessment and project initiation.
• Acquisition of secondary data from the following sources was made.
¾ Metu Wereda Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Office,
¾ Metu Wereda Agricultural Office and
¾ Metu Wereda Health Office
• A one-day workshop with representatives from different institutions from Metu
Wereda and Illubabor Zone to discuss the field findings in order to develop
recommendations for the possibility sustainable wetland water springs management
was undertaken.
2.3 Data Analysis
Qualitative and quantitative data analysis was undertaken to analyze the results presented in
this paper.
3
3 Review of wetlands and the water supply situation in Metu Wereda
Illubabor Zone is one part of Ethiopia that still has a variety of wetlands. An estimated 5% of
the zone is covered with wetlands (Wood 1996) whilst the estimated area of swamps and
marshes (excluding floodplain wetlands) for Metu Wereda ranges between 2-3% (Afework
1998a). In this wereda almost 90% of the kebeles (45 out of 49 kebeles) have wetlands and
these provide a wide range of benefits to the rural communities.
The work by the Ethiopian Wetlands Research Programme (EWRP*) (Afework Hailu, Wood
and Dixon 2000) has clearly revealed that wetlands are vital natural resources that have a
wide range of benefits and have been contributing to the well-being of many communities in
that zone, as well as other parts of south-west Ethiopia for many decades (See Table 1).
Table 1 – Wetland uses and beneficiaries in Illubabor Zone.
Uses
Estimate of households benefiting
Social / ceremonial use of sedges
100% (including urban dwellers)
Thatching reeds
85% (most rural households)
Temporary crop guarding huts of sedges
30%
Dry season grazing
Most cattle owners (30% of population)
Water for stock
Most cattle owners (30% of population)
Cultivation
25%
Domestic water from springs
50 – 100%
Craft materials (palm products and sedges)
5%
Medicinal plants
100% (mostly indirectly by purchase from
collectors / traditional doctors)
Source: Afework Hailu, Wood and Dixon 2000.
Although three permanent rivers flow through Metu wereda, they are little used for water
supply – with the exception of Metu Township which has its supply pumped from the Sor
River.
Access to the streams and rivers tends to be poor due to their incised nature and their distance
from homesteads and villages. As a result, the majority of the rural population are dependent
on spring water for domestic consumption. Most of these springs are found on the edges of
the wetlands and these are protected in various ways with sticks and fences to keep livestock
from damaging them.
However, despite this protection of springs from direct damage, there have been other forms
of serious disruption to the springs in recent years as a result of human interference in the
hydrological cycle and especially the groundwater table. A pilot survey undertaken by Metu
Wereda Agricultural Office in 1998 estimated that around 150 springs used for water supply
by the local community had dried up over the last thirty years leaving just 264 currently
available for a rural population of 108,047 in the wereda (Metu Wereda Agricultural Office
1998). This phenomenon is also confirmed from field information obtained in the study sites
*EWRP is the operational name given to the project “Sustainable Wetlands Management in Illubabor Zone, South-west
Ethiopia” which was funded by the EU from 31st January 1997 to 30th April 2000. This was a collaborative research project
between Huddersfield University and A.A. University with technical assistance provided by the University of East
Anglia and EARO, the East African Regional Office of IUCN, The World Conservation Union.
4
where the Ethiopian Wetlands Research Programme has been undertaking field research. For
instance in Chebeka wetland two of the seven springs had dried up during the last 30 years
since agriculture was introduced into that wetland (Afework 1998b). Outside Metu Wereda
similar evidence was found, with four of the seven springs drying up in Soma wetland in
Bedele Wereda in the last 35 years during which the area was drained for agriculture
(Afework 1998c).
The impacts of spring loss are considerable and gender-biased, with the increased time spent
fetching water for domestic consumption causing women to face a heavier labour burden.
Alternatively ill health may increase due to the use of more polluted local sources of water if
remaining springs are too distant. Additional effects from the disruption of spring flow occur
outside the local area with reduced stream flow affecting downstream water users.
A further hydrological problem caused by spring loss and wetland degradation is increased
variability in stream and river flow. In recent years, following increased wetland drainage,
there have been much greater fluctuations in river flow with the Sor River recording its
lowest level since records began. In 1999 the river was so low that it was not able to run the
turbines at the hydroelectric station and there was a shortage of power for three months in the
region.
The link between expanding wetland agriculture and spring loss is clearly suggested by the
EWRP and Dept of Agriculture data, although the role of upland forest clearance and
increased rainfall variability are also probably important. Data for the last decade shows that
on average 25% of the swamp and marshlands in Metu Wereda have been drained for
agricultural purpose every year (Afework, Wood and Dixon 200). While some do return to
their natural condition, many wetlands have been reported to be severely degraded.
5
4 Description of Metu Wereda
4.1 Metu Wereda geographical location and area
Metu is one of the twelve weredas in Illubabor Zone in Oromia Regional State Southwest
Ethiopia and located some 600 kms on Addis Ababa Gambella main road. The total area of
Metu Wereda is 146322 hectares and it is approximately located between 80 6’S – 80 30 N
latitudes and 300 15 – 350 45 E longitudes (see map for approximate location of Metu within
Illubabor Zone).
4.2 Climate
The southwestern highlands of Ethiopia receives the highest amount of rainfall in the country.
Similarly Metu Wereda is one of the areas that receives high rainfall in the southwestern
highlands. The data analyzed from National Meteorological Service Agency records on
rainfall and temperature for the last thirty years shows a mean annual amount of rainfall of
1855 mm in the Metu Wereda (Tegenge 1999). About 48% of the total annual rainfall is
mainly concentrated between June and August. In fact the six months from March to August
account for 60% of the total annual rainfall and these months are also the months during
which the main agricultural activities are carried out. Whilst the mean annual temperature of
the wereda is 170C. The corresponding amounts of maximum and minimum temperature are
270C and 120C respectively. In general Metu Wereda has a warm and moist climate.
4.3 Geology
The rocks of the Metu Wereda are basalt of the trap series lava (National Atlas of Ethiopia,
1988). This geological event occurred in the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic era when
faulting was accompanied by widespread volcanic activity which led to the formation of vast
quantities of basalt lava.
4.4 Soils
According to the National Atlas of Ethiopia (1988) and the FAO (1990) classification of soil
the dominant soil types of the study Metu Wereda is Haplic Acrisols and Haplic Nitisols.
The former occur mainly on sloping terrain whereas the latter on almost flat to sloping terrain
in high rainfall areas. Haplic Acrisols have limited agricultural potential and are chemically
poor. Haplic Nitisols, on the other hand, have good potentialities for agriculture. These soils
have very good physical properties such as uniform profile, a porous, stable structure and
deep rooting volume but high moisture storage capacity as well (National Atlas of Ethiopia,
1988 & FAO, 1990).
A study by Murphy (1968) identified the area as typical of coffee-forest ecology with soils
ranging generally from reddish brown to dark reddish brown clay-loam. They are high in
organic matter and very high in nitrogen.
4.5 Population
The total population of Metu Wereda according to CSA (1994) senesces is estimated at
6
Approximate location of Metu Wereda within Illubabor Zone
7
130530 out of which 108047 is leaving in rural and 22483 in urban centers. Metu is one of
the populated Wereda in Illubabor Zone
The majority of the population (88%) is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for
their livelihoods.
4.6 Land use
Fifty percent of Metu Wereda is covered by forest, bush, shrubs and grassland. The
proportion of land covered by annual crops and perennial crops such as coffee is significant.
Coffee is a major cash crop in the wereda and covers nearly 12% of the landmass. Wetlands
account for 2% and the detail of land use cover is given in Table 2.
Table 2. Metu Wereda Landuse/cover 2001
Land use/cover type
Area in ha.
Annual crops
24711
Perennial crops including Coffee
17611
Grazing land
9385
Forest, bush, shrubs and grassland
72702
Wetlands
2836
Urban centers
1597
Roads
68
Bear lands
2316
Infra structure rural
1025
Other
14071
Total
146322
Source: Metu Wereda Agricultural Office (2002).
%
17
12
6
50
2
1
0.05
1.6
0.7
9.6
99.95
8
5. Discussion of results from the study
As highlighted the methodology in part, two independent field surveys were undertaken to
generate the necessary information from the field. A general assessment was undertaken in
twenty-four kebeles with a limited number of information. The second survey was
undertaken in household level. The results from the assessment and household survey are
discussed independently in the coming consecutive parts.
5.1 The results from general assessment from twenty four kebeles
A preliminary survey undertaken within randomly selected twenty-four kebeles indicated a
presence of 507 wetlands that various from very small up to 100 hectares in size kebeles
within studied kebeles in Metu Wereda (see Annex I for list of kebeles where general
assessment was undertaken). Within this wetlands presence of 1291 wetland water springs
were encountered. Out of those wetland springs 944 wetland springs flow all year round
whilst 330 springs in rain season and 17 springs are completely dried out over the last ten
years.
In permanently flowing wetland water springs, 25 springs were cemented (developed), 16 are
fitted with hand pumps to supply clean/safe water for the local communities.
On the other hand, a total of 506 upslope/dry land water springs were encountered in the
studied kebeles. Out of which 423 water springs flow year round whilst 82 water springs
flow during rain season and 3 water springs were completely dried out over the last ten years.
Similarly 15 water springs are cemented (developed), 1 spring is fitted with hand pump to
improve the water supply status and provide the local communities with safe/clean water.
The study shows the presence of more wetland water springs in the studied kebeles than the
dry/upslope water springs. In average one wetland has about 2.5 water springs.
5.2 The results from household survey
5.2.1 Potable water supply sources
Thirteen kebeles were randomly picked from the twenty four kebeles which initially a
preliminary survey of wetland and dry land water springs were assessed and 1102 households
were randomly picked for detail study.
The result demonstrated in the studied households that 59% of the population depends on dry
land water springs for household water supply. Whilst 23% of the population is dependent on
wetland water springs and the rest 17% of the population depends for water supply on rivers,
hand dug wells, cemented springs and hand pumps. Table 3 highlights the result of the
survey undertaken in the field (see Annex II for list of kebeles and household size studied
from each kebeles).
9
Table 3. Potable water sources and size of HH depend on them
Potable water source
No. of HH reported
Dry land or upslope springs
652
Wetland springs
250
Rivers
74
Cemented upland & wetland springs
49
Hand dug water wells
29
Rivers + wetland springs
22
Hand pumps
17
Not stated
9
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002).
% HH fetch water
59.16
22.68
6.71
4.44
2.63
1.99
1.54
0.81
99.96
However, the size of households depends on wetland water springs for fetching potable water
various from one kebele to another kebele. As an example the size of the household that
fetch water from wetland springs in Tulube Kebele is about 57% and in Beroye 56% whilst in
Fugo Serdo Kebel as low as 0.85%. Table 4 summarizes the water supply status from each
kebele studied. In this regard the importance of wetland water springs for water supply
various from one kebele to the other.
Wetland water springs used for water supply in rural Metu
10
Table 4. Potable water sources and size of HH depend on them in studied kebeles
Potable water sources
Name of
the
Reporte Dry
Wetla- River Cemented Hand Rivers
Hand
Kebele
d
land
nd
springs
dug
+
pumps
spring spring
water wetland
wells springs
Geye
HH
60
8
8
0
5
1
0
%
71.59
9.76
9.76
0
6.1
1.22
0
Serdo
HH
71
14
0
0
0
0
0
%
81.65
16.10
0
0
0
0
0
Tubi
HH
58
22
0
0
0
0
7
%
66.12
25.08
0
0
0
0
Fugo
HH
59
1
13
42
0
0
0
Serdo
%
50.43
0.85
10.02
35.7
0
0
0
Becho
HH
44
2
0
0
4
0
9
%
73.33
3.34
0
0
6.68
0
15.03
Ukuro
HH
48
43
0
0
0
0
1
%
52.17
45.78
0
0
0
0
1.09
Dizi
HH
32
23
27
0
0
2
0
%
38.4
26.4
31.2
0
0
0
0
Ulmaye
HH
70
42
0
0
0
0
0
%
61.95
36.96
0
0
0
0
0
Siba
HH
37
2
17
0
4
19
0
%
46.99
2.54
20.32
0
5.08
24.13
0
Tulube
HH
25
52
0
2
9
0
0
%
29.16
57.24
0
2.16
9.72
0
0
Beroy
HH
21
28
0
0
0
0
0
Shenkora %
42
56
0
0
0
0
0
Burusa
HH
44
2
8
4
0
0
0
%
75.86
3.44
12.04
6.88
0
0
0
Adele
HH
81
11
0
0
7
0
0
Bise
%
81
11
0
0
0
0
0
%
51
11
0
0
0
0
0
Source: Field survey (2002).
11
Not
stated
2
1.22
2
1.15
1
1.14
3
2.55
2
3.34
1
1.09
1
1.2
1
0.88
1
1.27
2
2.16
1
2
1
1.72
1
1
1
5.2.2
Safe/clean water facilities and users in rural Metu
a) Safe water facilities or schemes
Safe or clean water facilities include cemented springs and installed hand pumps on wetland
or dry land water springs in rural Metu. These facilities were built by different organizations
such as MfM (the Menschen Fur Menschen Foundation), Mekanyesus and Red Cross. At
present 44 cemented and 31 hand pumps are reported for the whole community in the wereda
excluding small towns like Metu and Nopa. The proportion of these facilities compared to the
population size is at low level, one clean water facility is for 1403 rural population. This
indicates that the clean water facility in Metu wereda is almost negligible.
According to Metu Wereda Agricultural Office out of the total 75 safe/clean water facilities
18 are non functional (personal communication) due to various reasons such as breaking
down of hand pumps, un proper installation and drying up of water points where the facilities
were built.
b) Safe water users
The importance of safe water supply to human health is un-debatable. In rural Ethiopia the
availability of clean water supply facility is non-significant compared to the size of the
population who is dependent on them. According to the PRSP document the size of the
population that have an access to safe potable water in rural Ethiopia is about 24% in 2000
(EG, 2002).
Similarly the population who has access to safe water in the studied kebeles with Metu
Wereda is non-significant even compared to the national average reported above. The field
survey revealed that only 6% of the rural community has access to safe/clean water in studied
kebeles and the detail is summarized in Table 5.
Table 5. Proportion of safe/clean water users in the studied kebeles
Water users
No. of HH reported
Safe/clean water users
66
Unsafe water users
1027
Not stated
9
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002)
%
6.00
93.19
0.81
100.00
The proportion of safe water users various from one kebele to the other. In Fugo Serdo
Kebele the percent of clean water users is as high as 37% whilst in other kebeles the
proportion of clean water users is almost zero (see table 4 as well).
12
Safe water facility
The proportion of safe water users from this study is significantly lower than reported by
different institutions in the wereda. The report from Metu Wereda Agricultural Office (2001)
shows that in the whole Wereda (including Metu and rural towns) is as high as 25%. Whilst
according to Metu Wereda Health Office the percent of safe water users is 23.37%. In both
cases the figure is much higher than the result of this study. One explanation given is that the
report from both institutions includes the communities who have access to safe water within
towns such as Metu (the Wereda Center and Zonal capital), Nopa and Becho (abounded Nopa
and Becho Weredas centers). These towns have a water scheme that has built by the
government and more than 90% of the citizens are benefited. There is no report that confirms
the construction of water schemes in the countryside either by the government or NGOs at
present. It is hoped that the current scenario might change with the present government rural
centered development policy.
c) Educating rural communities on use of safe water
An attempt was made to catch the family size received education on use of clean water over
the last twelve months by different institutions. Table 6 summarizes the outcome from the
study on this particular issue.
Table 6. HH size received education on safe water uses
Education on safe water use
HH reported
Received HH
548
Non received HH
547
Not stated
7
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002).
%
48.73
49.64
0.64
100
The proportion of households that received education to use safe water is almost half of the
households included in the study. The education on safe water use in this case involves use of
boiled water for drinking to reduce the problem associated with the use of unsafe water which
expose them to water borne diseases.
However, nearly 45% of the households studied reported water related diseases within their
families over the last twelve months. Table 7 highlights the survey result.
13
Table 7. Households reported waterborne diseases over the last twelve months
Cases reported
HH reported
HH non infected by water borne and related disease
517
Infected by diarrhoea
404
Other water borne diseases
100
Not stated
81
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002).
%
46.91
36.66
9.07
7.35
99.99
The result indicates that there are many people who are suffering from using unsafe water.
This has a direct impact on the health of the local community thereby affecting their working
capacity. This has a direct economic cost through paying to treat the diseases and indirect
economic cost via the time that is spent in treatment and away from agricultural activities.
Although it was not reported, such disease could be fatal if not treated timely and properly.
According to WWF (2002) nearly 650 people die from diarrhoea in Africa every year and
diarrhoea is a water borne disease.
5.2.3 Quantity of water use for different services within the household
The result from the study on the amount of water use distribution within the household
indicates that more of the water collected is used for washing household utensils and cooking.
The remaining water collected for domestic use is used for drinking, washing cloths, etc.
Table 8 summarizes the amount of water use within the household.
Table 8. Water use type within the family
Water use type
HH Reported
For washing HH utensils
402
Cooking
345
Drinking
170
Washing cloths
104
Personal sanitation
64
For other unspecified uses
2
Not stated
17
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002)
%
36.47
31.30
15.42
9.43
5.80
0.18
1.54
100
5.2.4 Proportion of water collected by family members in the studied HH
Traditionally in Ethiopia females are the main family members who fetch water daily for the
family that is used either for cooking or other uses including personal sanitation. This
tradition has persisted for centuries and it remains the same at present. In the past water was
usually collected by hand made pots in the countryside and presently most of the families use
plastic containers to fetch water. However, the role of woman as water collectors has
remained the same over generations in rural Ethiopia. In this study an attempt was made to
record the amount of water collected by each of the family members and still the bulk of
water collected for domestic use in the countryside remains the duty of females. Out of the
total amount of water needed for daily use within the family 91.20% is collected by females.
Table 9 summarizes the amount of water fetch by each of the family member in the studied
households.
14
Table 9. Amount of water collected by family members for daily use
Family member
HH Reported
Wife
685
Daughters
309
Boys
72
Husband
17
Others
2
Not stated
17
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002)
%
62.16
28.04
6.53
1.54
0.18
1.54
99.99
The proportion of water collected by men is non-significant compared to the quantity that
collected by the women group. It is only 8.07% of the water that is collected by male out of
which a husband collects only 1.54% and the remaining balance by male children. Husbands
usually collect water when their wives are either give birth or sick. This is also in families
where there is no one to fetch water from either the wives or husbands relatives or even
children. Sometimes a woman from a neighbor fetch water when the woman is sick or give
birth in the next house. And in most of the cases men are reluctant to fetch water unless
otherwise the above-mentioned cases exist within the family.
Further children in Ethiopia contribute a lot in assisting their parents in farming and
household works including water fetching. This is a common practice especially in
countryside and in poor families in urban centers as well. This study has demonstrated further
this reality and children (both male and female) collect 34.57% of the water that is used daily
within the family in the studied households.
5.2.5 Per capita water consumption at individual and HH level
An attempt was made to assess the quantity of water utilized by each family member during
the field survey. And the result indicates that in average every household uses 50 liters of
water daily. Assuming a family size of 5 people the quantity of water used per person per day
is only 10 liters. Comparing this finding with some of African countries such as Senegal with
a national average of 29 liters of water per day per person, the result from Metu Wereda is
very low. It is much less than the average of developing nations which is estimated at 50
liters per person per day.
5.2.6 Opinions of HH on the quality of water the use and future interest
Opinions of household on the quality of the water they are currently using were assessed to
understand how they feel about the quality of the water they use. The result indicates that
nearly 45% of the households assume that the water they use is safe and clean for drinking.
They justify this by considering that they are collecting water from water springs and they
think it is safe for drinking. Table 10 highlights the opinions of the households involved in
the study.
15
Table 10. Opinion of studied HH on the quality of the water they use
Opinions on the quality of the water
Reported HH
Safe for drinking
493
Not safe for drinking
359
Not able to decide
250
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002).
%
44.74
32.85
22.68
99.98
Further assessment was made to know what type of water schemes every household wants to
have for the supply of safe water for them and their family in the future. The result shows that
most of the water users want to have cemented spring or hand pumps. This might be for the
presence of some developed (cemented springs) and hand pumps in their vicinity. A good
proportion of the households want to have a water line scheme. Others also interested to
manage their water resources on traditional way for supply of safe water. Table 11
summarizes the result of the findings.
Table 11. Opinion of water users on water schemes type
Water supply system
Reported HH
HH wish to have cemented
springs or hand pumps
508
Built in water line
271
Clean and fenced springs
265
Frequent cleaning of springs
54
Not stated
4
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002).
%
46.09
24.59
24.04
4.90
0.36
99.98
5.2.7 Wetland water supply management practices
Spring management is vital to keep the quality of water from the springs in better condition
as well to increase water flow from the spring. Management measures include the freeing of
springs from foreign materials such as plastic materials, mud, plant materials, etc through
cleaning the springs, or fencing around the spring to exclude livestock and wildlife and
perhaps the building of soil bunds to exclude run off coming into the spring. Table 12
summarizes the field survey result of management practices undertaken. Only three cases
were assessed.
Table 12. Summary of indigenous management practices
Indigenous management practices
Household reported
Cleaning water springs
889
Fencing around the water spring
154
Earthing up around the water spring
41
Not stated
18
Total
1102
Source: Field survey (2002)
%
80.67
13.97
3.72
1.63
99.99
The out come indicates that majority of the farmers involves in management practices at least
once in spring-cleaning.
16
5.2.8 Time spent in water collection
The time spent to collect water is important to consider to understand the work load on
women group. Further if the current wetland springs dried out the problem that the rural
woman could face. The average time currently spent to collect water for round trip from the
existing wetland water springs is reported as 20 minutes. However, if the current wetland
water springs dry up the estimated time required for collecting water is between 1 hour and
half to 2 hours. Thus it is important for the community to understand the problems associated
with loss of springs and make the necessary protection for sustainable water supply.
5.3 Wetland water supply condition for livestock
The uses of wetland water supply is not only restricted to human use. Wetlands are major
water suppliers for domestic stock as well as for wildlife. In this study consideration was also
given to understand the status of wetlands water springs for the supply of water for domestic
stock. Table13 summarizes the findings.
Table 13. Source of water supply for domestic stock
Household
Depends on wetlands for water supply for domestic stock
Depend on rivers
Depend both on wetlands and rivers
Not stated*
Total
Source: Field survey (2002)
*Includes non livestock owners
Reported
295
276
228
303
1102
%
26.76
25.05
20.69
27.50
100.00
5.4 Other wetland benefits assessed
The additional benefit assessed during the field survey includes the proportion of households
that are dependent on reeds from wetlands for roofing their houses. Table 14 summarizes the
result of the survey undertaken to determine the proportion of household dependent on
wetland materials for thatching their houses.
Table 14. Roofing materials used in rural Metu
Roofing material used
Reeds from wetlands
Corrugated iron or iron sheet
Not stated
Total
Source: Field survey (2002)
Reported
760
328
14
1102
%
68.96
29.76
1.27
99.99
17
6. PRA Findings
To further investigate the wetland water supply status in Metu Wereda and build up on the
information and data collected from the field through field survey and information gathered
from secondary sources a number of discussions using PRA tools were undertaken in the
field with a selected community members (see Annex V for points discussed in PRA
workshops). Nine wetland water springs in different parts of the wereda were identified and
studied. The studied wetland water springs are of two groups. The first group includes
wetland water springs that are currently under better management and supply adequate water
for the communities that are dependent on them. The current status of the springs and
problems associated were discussed. The second group of wetland water springs studied
includes, wetland water springs that have completely dried out and or seriously affected from
human intervention and on the way to dry out. The causes for drying up or declining were
investigated
A total of 140 community members from nine community groups that consists of 47 female
and 93 male were involved in the discussions. The discussions were undertaken near each of
the wetland springs with their respective community groups.
The major discussion points within the local community were focused around five major
areas that include:
• the history of the wetland water spring they are currently using,
• Wetland water spring users and impact on water use from different socio-economic
groups,
• wetland water quality and associated health issues,
• types of human intervention impacted wetland water supply, and
• indigenous wetland water supply management measures or practices.
PRA tools used to discuss the issues includes semi-structured interview, historical analysis,
proportional pilling, transect walk in the catchment, etc.
The outcome from the discussion has revealed that the community members have a wealth of
knowledge that has enabled them to manage their wetland water springs for centuries.
However, this doesn’t mean that they are able to get safe water, rather they are managing to
get a sustainable water supply that is clean from foreign materials that are visible. Otherwise
both the survey work and the field discussion have indicated that the community in rural
Metu is suffering from a lack of safe water supply.
6.1 Group I Wetland water springs history
Six wetland water springs that are currently a major water sources for community were
included in this group and studied. The wetland water springs studied include Kersa (Abba
Ferisaa Spring) and Abba Jima Spring in Serdo Kebele, Mendido Spring in Tulube Kebele,
Kersa Spring in Adele Bisse Kebele and Kodo Hire Spring.
Discussion with community groups who are dependent for water supply on this specific
wetland water springs was made and the history of each of the wetland springs studied is
summarized as follows.
18
i) Kersa wetland water spring
Kersa wetland water spring is located in Serdo Kebele. A forest from all directions in the past
surrounded it as it was reported. At present due to intensive deforestation only remnant trees
are observed within the catchment and the wetland and the wetland springs are surrounded by
agricultural land in all directions. According to the community group with whom PRA was
undertaken Kersa Wetland Water Spring has been in use for more than a century. The Kersa
Wetland Water Spring is kown as “Abba Ferisa Spring”. Abba Ferisa was the first man to
locate the spring and collected water from this spring and he has dead thirty years before at
age of 80. The calculation of the years that the spring was in use is dependent on the age of
Abba Ferisa.
According to the informant humans, wildlife and livestock depend for drinking water from
this wetland water spring. Fifty households who live in the catchment depend for water all
year round on Kersa Spring for water supply.
The quantity of the water in the spring fluctuates depending on the rainfall. In rain season the
quantity of the flow increases and declines during the dry season. Community groups
reported a decline in quantity of water over years but had no impact at present on the quantity
of water they collect. The explanation given was that the decline in the quantity of the water
is due to deforestation, wetland drainage, grazing in the wetland, erosion and siltation from
the surrounding agricultural land and extended dry months in the area.
The community group has reported that there is a health problem associated with the use of
the wetland water spring and requested for support to cement the spring from foreign
materials for a supply of safe water to the community. The coordination among the users is
low and the community has explained that it has adverse effect on the management of the
wetland water spring that they are dependent on for their water supply. They recognized that
only twice a year clearing of the foreign material from the spring is undertaken with a
pressure coming from a women group. The current democracy to work or not is blamed for
poor coordination among themselves.
ii) Mendido Wetland Water Spring
Communities from Mendido Catchment in Tulube Kebele told reported that their wetland
water spring under consideration has supplied water for more than a century to the citizens
leaving in the vicinity. According to them the first settlement in the area was close to this
wetland water spring and people were dependent on the spring for water. Since then this
spring is a major water supplier for the local community within Mendido Catchment.
The landlord Ferenj Jara was recognized as the first man who located the spring and started
water collection from this spring. Since then more than 30 household during rain season and
more than 100 households during dry months of the year collect water from here according to
the locals. The flow of the water from the spring is similar to the one mentioned above. It
increases during rain season and decreases during dry months. With increased water
collection especially during dry season there is some times shortage of water to be collected.
Deforestation in the catchment, wetland drainage, grazing, runs off from the surrounding
agricultural land was considered as major threats on the water supply status of the spring. No
serious water shortage was reported over all those years.
19
iii) Abba Jima Wetland Water Spring
Abba Jima wetland water spring is found within Serdo Kebele and 33 household during rain
season and an additional 67 households depend on Abba Jima spring for water supply. It was
reported that since the time of Abba Jima a third generation is dependent for water supply on
this particular wetland water spring.
The catchment is dominated with cultivated land and only a small patch of forest is remaining
near the wetland spring with eucalyptus trees dominating the patch of the forest.
Humans, livestock and wildlife depend on the spring for water. As in other wetland water
spring the quantity of the water fluctuates with the seasons. Impacts from catchment
deforestation and siltation from agricultural land were the major problems mentioned by the
community group for decline in quantity of water flow and deterioration in the quality of the
water they collect.
iv) Keresa Wetland Water Spring, Adele Bisse Kebele
Kersa wetland is located in Adele Bisse Kebele and the landuse in the catchment is
dominated by grazing and cultivated land. Deforestation in the catchment has undertaken
long ago. The Keresa wetland spring is partly fenced out to protect the spring from use of
livestock and wildlife to keep the quality of the water in better condition for human use.
Wooden polls are placed across the spring to facilitate water collection from the spring and to
hinder any livestock and wildlife movement into the spring.
The community here has assigned another wetland water spring for livestock water supply.
And they recognize that wildlife in the area also depends for water on this spring.
As elsewhere here also erosion and siltation from cultivated land and deforestation in the
catchment is blamed for decline in quantity and quality of the water. Cleaning of foreign
materials from the spring, fencing around the spring and putting wooden polls across the
springs are some of the management practices undertaken by the locals to sustain water
supply and keep the quality of the water within the spring.
v) Kodo Hire wetland water spring
Community groups reported that the history of water collection from Kodo spring goes back
to early Haile Sellassie regime. They recognize that the third generation since settlement
started in the catchment is dependent for potable water from this spring. It was abandoned
during Derg Regime when villagization programme introduced and all the villagers were
moved into another new village. However, the use of water resumes when the village was
reconstructed after the fall of Derg in 1991.
The spring is surrounded in all directions with cultivated land and some indigenous remnant
trees that signaled the severe deforestation undertaken in the catchment in the past. Some 10
households during rain season and additional 30 households during rain season collect water
from the spring. The spring was developed (cemented) during the Haile Sellassie regime and
due to lack of maintenance the structure has broken down. Farmers reported that if not
continuously cleaned, there is a bad smell due to the stagnation of water in the spring. Thus
they clean the spring every month during dry months and frequently as required during rain
season.
20
Here also wetland drainage, grazing, catchment deforestation, change in rainfall pattern were
recognized as main factors for fluctuating in the water quantity and quality.
vi) Rob Gebeya Wetland Water Spring
Rob Gebeya Wetland water Spring is found in Gey Kebele. According to the locals this
wetland water spring is in use for more than seven decades. About 10 households depend for
water supply on Rob Gebeya wetland water spring all year round and this size will be tripled
during dry months. The nearby wetland water springs have dried out according to the locals
due to all year round grazing in the wetland, planting of eucalyptus tree in the catchment and
run off and siltation from the nearby main road. They recognized that these have also had a
negative impact on the quality and quantity of the water.
Management measures taken by the community includes earthing up around the spring,
fencing and cleaning of foreign materials from the spring.
6.2 Group II wetland water springs history
The second group of wetland water springs studied includes Tona and Tulube wetlands from
Tulube Kebele and Bubu Wetland spring from Boto Kebele. These wetland springs are
springs that have suffered a negative impact due to human intervention within the catchment
and have either dried out or suffered a reduction in the quantity and quality of the water they
supply. More importantly the causes for drying up or declining in water quantity and quality
were investigated in deep. The outcome from the study is summarized in the following parts.
i) Tona Wetland Water Spring in Tulube Kebele
Tona wetland water spring is found in Tulube Kebele and one of the springs that is under
serious threat from eucalyptus plantations according to the locals. They recognize this spring
as a major water sources in the area since the time of Fetwreari Gebre Selliase, an
administrator during Haile Selliase Regime. According to them a number of people enjoyed
collecting water from this spring without any limitation until they say eucalyptus was
introduced in the catchment and the flow from the spring start to decline significantly. They
consider the introduction of eucalyptus plantation as a major threat which in the long-term
might completely dry up the spring. Detailed analysis of the impact of the eucalyptus is
summarized in part “7g” of this paper.
ii) Tulube wetland spring in Tulube Kebele
Tulube wetland spring is located close to small Tulube Village in Tulube Kebele. The village
is with more than 500 citizens and has a market centre, school and health clinic. The citizens
of Tulube are dependent on this particular spring for water supply through out the year.
According to the report in dry months people from different villages comes and collect water
from the spring. The spring is fitted with hand pump which has been financed by MfM.
Students and the nearby health clinic also depend upon for water on this particular spring.
The catchment in west and east is covered by eucalyptus plantation. The near wetland is
grazed through out the year. The spring is fenced out to charge water users to generate
enough money for the maintenance of the hand pump when it breaks down. However, the
community reported that the quantity and quality of the water from this spring starts to
decline over the last 5 to 6 years. In extended dry moths they reported that the spring will
21
totally dry out and they have to collect water from other sources in neighboring kebeles. In
the worst scenario a six-hours walk from their kebele to fetch water. Between January and
March they recognized that the quality of the water from the hand pump is poor and it is full
of silt. Dihorea, amoeba and vomiting are some of the common occurrence in the area that
was reported. This is aggravated by a decline in the quality of the water.
The explanation given to the drying up of the spring is drainage of the wetland which is
followed with grazing, over utilization of the water due to increased users, deforestation and
planting of eucalyptus trees in the catchment. They also suspicious that during the rain season
that there is seepage of the run off into the water pump and that has an adverse impact on the
quality of the water they use.
They identified indigenous tree species such as Albizia, Ficus, Cordia, Luyya and Omi that
have minimum impact on the water table opposed to eucalyptus. They are strongly against
planting of eucalyptus in the catchment since it demands a lot of water and dry up the springs.
iii) Bubu wetland spring in Boto Kebele
Bubu community has reported that the wetland water spring they were dependent on for
water supply for many years has now completely dried up and they are fully dependent on
other wetland water spring. According to the report all villagers used to collect water from
the spring. In 1974 they started to drain the wetland and grow crops in the wetland. Further
they deforested the catchment and converted into cultivated land. Then they start to recognize
that the quantity of water in the spring start to decline. Through time it has completely dried
out and now they have located another wetland spring within the same wetland and depend
for water collection on the other spring. Other causes forwarded for the complete drying up of
the spring, which resulted in the lowering of the water table was the planting of eucalyptus in
the catchment and change in the rainfall pattern and increase in number of springs that are dry
and shortage of rainfall.
6.3 Wetland water spring users and impacts on water use from different socio-economic
groups
Water from wetland water spring is not only used by humans according to the information
provided by the community members and many others are also dependent on wetland water
springs for their survival. According to the community groups livestock and wildlife are
dependent on wetland springs for water. Further the survey study has confirmed that nearly
27% of the livestock owners depend on wetland water springs for water for their livestock
through out the year whilst another 21% of livestock owners depend on wetlands and rivers
for water supply for their livestock. This figure shows that some 48% of livestock owners
depend on wetlands for wetland water supply. Similar proportion of livestock owners were
reported during the PRA discussion that are dependent on wetland water springs for water
supply successfully for years. It was abandoned when land was nationalized and become
stated property in the early years of Derg regime.
Further the community groups reported that in the past, hand operated washed coffeewashing machines as well was dependent on wetland water springs for water. Communities
from Tulube Kebele Tona Catchment recognise that a hand operated coffee washing machine
was installed near the wetland water spring and was using water from the spring for washing
coffee for export.
22
The other issue that was discussed with community groups includes the quantity of water
consumption per household by different social groups. Whether there is a difference in
quantity of water use between rich and poor households.
In the discussion participants have made three points clear that are associated with the
quantity of water use. The first is that there is a significant difference between the rich and
the poor in the quantity of water use. They confirmed that there is a significant difference
between the two groups. Some of the figures quoted during the discussion clearly indicate the
existence of difference in quantity of water use between the social groups. Community
groups from Adele Bise/ Kersa has reported that the rich use in average 100 lts of water per
day and the poor uses in average 50 lts of water per day given that they have the same family
size. Further community groups from Serdo/Abba Jima reported that rich family in average
uses 120 lts of water compared to the poor who might uses between 40-50 lts of water per
day given that they have same family size. They pointed out that the rich uses more water
compared to the poor household. This is mainly because that the poor households require
little water for cooking and sanitation compared to the rich who requires more water for food
cooking, livestock, personal sanitation and washing clothes.
Secondly the quantity of water collected and used is associated with economic activities
undertaken in the countryside. Which means that people who own and run Tej Bet, Shie Bet
(Tea Houses), Areka Bet and Tella Bet (local beer) use more water than the ordinary
households. Since they require more water to brewery Tella, Tej or Areka.
Finally the participants’ recognized that a household family size has contribution on the
quantity of water used in the rural Metu. According to the report households that have large
family size which means that have more family members collect and use more water than
households with small family size. Those who have larger family size require more water
than the household with small family size.
An average quantity of water collected by household estimated by the participants is found to
be between 63-65 lts/day/ HH (see table 15). This is slightly higher than the result of field
survey. Accordingly if an average family size is considered as 5, the per capita water
consumption is between 12-13 lts/day/person and similarly a slight higher than the field
survey result. However, the PRA reports are dependent on general estimation and the
difference observed between the field survey and the PRA result is not significant and could
be used for any planning purpose.
23
Table 15. PRA estimates of water use per HH
Community group
Estimate of household water collection and
consumption
Serdo/Keresa Community
48 lts/day
Tulube/Mendido Community
48-60 lts day
Tulube/Tona Coomunity
48 lts of water (4 jerry cans of 12 lts)
Tulube/Tulube Community
75 lts/day
Serdo/Abba Jima Community
80 lts/day
Adele Bise/Keresa Community
75 lts/day
Kodo Hire Community
72-84lts/day
Rob Gebeye Community
80 lts/day
Bubu/Boto Community
48 lts/day
Average per household
63 - 65 lts/day
The other important point discussed with the community members that was not addressed in
the filed survey was the size of the households that depend on the water springs for water.
According to the report the size of household who depends on this water springs varies
between rainy and dry months of the year. They recognize during the rainy season the
number of household dependent on the springs decline and the number of users increases
during dry seasons. The size of the household reported that are dependent on the wetland
water springs is too high and difficult to believe. The detail is given in Table 16.
Table 16. Estimates of HH dependent on the wetland water springs studied
Community groups reported
HH size collecting water during different season
Rain season
Dry season (Jan. to March)
Serdo/Keresa Community
50
50
Tulube/Mendido Community
30
100
Tulube/Tona Coomunity
300
300
Tulube/Tulube Community
250
250
Serdo/Abba Jima Community
33
100
Adele Bise/Keresa Community
31
231
Kodo Hire Community
10
30
Rob Gebeya Community
10
25
Bubu/Boto Community
0
0
Average users per spring
90
121
Source: PRA Field Work (2002).
c) Wetland water quality and associated health issues
Focus was given and discussed with the community members to understand the quality of the
water that they use and associated health problems. Accordingly community groups have
reported that the quality of their water is not safe for drinking. They reported that the quality
of their water was better 30 to 40 years before and now a day that they have observed a
deterioration in the quality of the water they use. They have indicated in those 30- 40 years
the number of family size that was sick by drinking water is minimum in comparison the
current time.
They reported that water borne disease such as diahhorea, amoeba, vomiting and Onkosis
(skin aching), stomach crumpling (kuretat) in children and Jardia are common. In the past
such cases were reported rarely within the community according to our informants.
24
Further the deterioration in the quality of the water is identified by the taste of the water.
Water that is fully of silt and foreign materials has a taste of mud. This is mainly associated
with silt accumulation in the water springs we use which is a result of catchment
deforestation and erosion.
6.4 Types of human intervention impacted wetland water supply
A number of human activities were listed by the community groups that have a direct impact
on the wetland water springs. These include drainage of wetlands for agriculture, catchment
deforestation, overgrazing coupled with drainage and planting of plants that have adverse
effect on wetland water springs. Further failure of coordination between water users and
population pressure were recognized as direct causes in the decline of wetland water spring
water supply status. All community members who were involved in the discussion
unanimously recognized these points as major problems for wetland water spring supply and
these will remain a problem in the future if not addressed properly by the community and
government.
6.5 Indigenous wetland water supply management measures or practices
Local communities have developed over years their own management practices to overcome
the problems encountered them in water supply quantity and quality and to sustain wetland
water spring supply. These management practices have been passed from generation to
generation and still are practiced by the current community members. However, not all these
management practices are implemented by all community groups and the implementation
various from one community to the other depending on the coordination and understanding
between the community members as well the problem.
The management measures implemented to improve the water quality by the communities
includes:
• cleaning of silt and foreign materials from springs,
• fencing around the water springs,
• earthing up around water springs,
• blocking of water flow when ever the quantity of water spring declines,
• charging of water users for water facility maintenance,
• placing of wooden polls across water springs, and etc.
These points will be discussed in more details part 8 of this paper.
25
7. Major human impacts on wetland water supply status
A number of factors were identified during the study that has impacted wetland water supply
status in the studied kebeles. These include catchment deforestation, wetland drainage,
planting of eucalyptus in wetlands and many others. These points will be addressed in the
following parts.
a) Catchment deforestation
The wetlands in Metu Wereda and generally in southwest highlands of Ethiopia are located
within forest catchment or surrounded by forest. The presence of forest in the catchment has a
positive impact on the hydrological regime. This is through increasing infiltration of
rainwater which sustain the flow of water springs. Deforestation increases runoff and this will
alter the hydrological regime and little infiltration might occur which might not able to
sustain spring flow year round. This scenario will result in complete change of the
hydrological regime in the wetland system. According to the information from the field over
the last ten years 60 water springs were dried as a result of catchment deforestation and other
related causes in the studied kebeles. If all the wereda assessed the number of wetland springs
dried out could be more and this also indicates how fast wetlands are also disappearing from
the wereda. The drying up of wetland water springs has a direct effect on the wetland water
table as well as in immediate community groups and downstream users as well.
b) Wetland drainage and grazing
Drainage of wetlands was reported as one of the causes for the drying up of wetland water
springs and decline in wetland water supply status. Unless careful planning is done in
draining wetlands the out come could be catastrophic both for the wetland and for the
community depend on it. Draining of wetlands for cropping involves the exclusion of the
water from the root zone and this will have a direct effect on the hydrological regime of the
wetland system. If draining ditches are constructed close to the water springs it fasten the
flow of the water from the springs and gradually leads to complete drying up of the spring in
long run. Similarly over grazing in the wetlands have a disastrous effect on the hydrology
regime of the wetland. In total a drying up of 20 water springs within the last ten years was
reported from the studied kebeles.
Further, a discontinuation of flow in dry months of the year from January to March and some
times up to April was reported in 123 wetland water springs due to human interference in the
wetland and in the catchments surveyed. More over a complete drying up of 79 dry land
water springs were reported in the studied area as a result of combined effect of drainage and
grazing.
c) Population pressure
An increase in population was identified as one of a major threat on the water supply status of
wetland springs. This was directly related on the quantity of water collected from springs on
every day basis. Some communities recognized that only a few people that were collected
from the water springs exist in their vicinity decades before especially during the Haile
Selassie Regime. However, they explained at present the number of people who are
dependent on the same water springs are three times than the previous population size. And
explained that the pressure from the users has an impact on the spring flow or quantity of
water collected from the springs. In dry months of the year flow of springs decline and some
times there is little or no water available to be collected.
26
d) Run off from the adjoining agricultural lands and siltation within water springs
Runoff from adjoining agricultural lands and siltation in the water springs and the wetland
system was reported as one of the causes for the declining of spring water flow. In steep sided
catchment the farmers recognized that the condition is worst and there is large siltation within
the wetland system. This has a direct impact on the flow of water springs as reported.
e) Poor coordination and management of water springs among water users
Poor management of wetland water springs as a result of poor coordination among water
users was reported as a hindrance to improve the quality and quantity of water collected and
in long run resulted in declining on the quantity of water supply.
f) Failure of hand pumps due to poor handling and management and installation problem
A number of water facilities exist in some kebeles that were built by donors for supplying
safe water for the local communities. However, according to the community group due to
poor or mismanagement and poor installation there is a decline in the quantity of water
supply and in some cases there is total dry up of the springs. In Tulube Kebele farmers
reported that the hand pump installed with out there consultation and end up in drying and
generate water only during rain seasons. Further they mentioned that the quality of the water
is poor and it is full of silt and test as a mud.
g) Planting of plants that have an adverse effect on water supply around water springs
A number of plants were reported that have an adverse impact on the water flow of wetland
springs if they are closely planted to the wetland water spring. Identified plants include
eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp), chatt, Banana and Sugarcane.
• Eucalyptus
Planting of eucalyptus close to wetland springs was reported as a major threat to wetland
water springs. Farmers from Tulube Kebele reported during PRA session that the water
spring that was used by a large community group is under threat since the last three years
after eucalyptus was planted on the catchment and close to the wetland water spring.
A Case of Tona Water Spring in Tulube Kebele
Using PRA tools a discussion was undertaken with a group of farmers near a wetland water
spring. The water spring was reported to decline in the quantity of water supply over the last
four years. In the discussion elderly farmers who are knowledgeable and aged more than 70
years and lived all their lives within the wetland catchment were included to get a clear
picture of the spring under consideration.
The communities have reported that the water from this spring during Haile Selassie regime
was enough for every one leaving close to the wetland water spring. Further they recognised
that every evening ten to twenty of coffee traders who used to travel from Bure towards
Eastern Illubabor camp over night here and use this water for drinking as well for their horses
and mules that carry coffee for them. They added that these businessmen use the water for
sanitary purpose such as washing their clothes. The scenario of collecting of water from the
wetland spring and providing ample water for the coffee traders was continued until the Derg
Regime. At present no more coffee traders come since this was abandoned and coffee trading
was allowed for those who have license from the government. However, the locals continued
to use the spring for water collection and haven’t noticed any significant change.
27
They have recognized the increase in the population over years in the catchment and argued
that this has not created an additional burden on the water spring and the quantity of water
collected. They say the increase in population had a minor impact on the wetland water
supply.
However, the major decline in the quantity of water supply from this particular spring
become evident after eucalyptus was planted within the catchment four years ago. Planting
eucalyptus within the catchment started four years ago and extended as close as two meters to
the spring. The farmers totally blamed the eucalyptus for the decline of the water from the
spring.
A farmer says “for the decline of the water from this spring eucalyptus should be blamed
including the man who has planted them”. Participants supported his opinion and expressed
their own feelings.
The farmers explained further and during dry months in this case between December to
March that there will be no water to be collected during day times. Water collectors have
come in the evenings to collect some water that is accumulated drop after drop during the
evening. Some times they have to collect water in mid night or between 5-6 am in the
morning. Sometimes even there is a long qui and a fighting breaks out between water
collectors.
They told the team that they have reported the case to the kebele administration and there is
no solution is found. We want that the eucalyptus close to the water spring to be cleared away
until constant flow of water is ensured in the spring.
The owner of the eucalyptus plantation who is in his early twenties rejected the complain
forwarded by the community members and says the decline in the water quantity in the spring
is due to change in the climate and extended drought months in the region. However, he
couldn’t justify why the quantity of the water was not declining significantly in the water
spring in the past 5-6 years even when there was a short age in the rainfall and extended
drought before he plated the tress in the catchment.
Other plant species that were recognized as a threat to wetland springs include Chatt, Banana
and Sugarcane.
On the other hand farmers are identified local tree species that are consider suitable for
planting in catchments and have any side effect on water supply status. These trees includes
Albizia, Ficus, Cordia, Luyya and Omi
28
8. Indigenous management measures practiced by local communities to
improve/sustain water supply from wetland springs
Different community groups to keep the water quality and sustain the water flow implement a
number of management practices. Some of these practices are discussed here.
a) Improving quality and quantity of water through cleaning water springs
In most cases communities practice cleaning of water springs to improve the quality of the
wetland spring the use and to sustain the water supply. Cleaning involves the removal of
mud, plant leaves collected within the spring and other foreign materials. In communities
where there is good cooperation this activity is undertaken as it is necessary. In most cases in
the studied community cleaning of springs undertaken once or twice a year. Water spring
cleaning activity takes place in most cases at the end of the rain season and in communities
who undertake cleaning twice a year the second cleaning takes place at the mid of the rain
season. Usually the cleaning activity is undertaken by the request by a women group. Every
woman that collects from the water spring has to tell the men counter part to undertake the
cleaning. The common practice is that men undertake the cleaning of the water springs once
consensus is reached between men to undertake the cleaning activity. According to the
report, the cleaning of the springs induces a change in the quality and flow of the water
springs. According to the informants, the test of the water from cleaned spring and noncleaned water spring is completely different.
However, according to our informants there is less coordination between users to undertake
cleaning of the water springs, as it is required.
b) Fencing around water springs
In communities or wetland water spring users where there is strong cooperation water springs
are fenced off to protect them from use by domestic stock and wildlife. Further this is also to
restrict children to get into the spring and do damage to the water springs. In some
communities unaccompanied children are not allowed to collect water from wetland water
springs.
c) Earthing up around water springs
To protect the water springs from runoff and siltation from the catchment in some
communities earthing around the wetland is a common practice. This will help to direct the
runoff from the catchment away from the water springs.
d) Blocking of water flow when the water quantity declines
Blocking of water flow at the outlet of the spring is a practice that is taken by some
community when the quantity of water spring that flows start to decline. This is to keep the
water table high in order to have sustainable flow of water from the spring. This is usually a
practice that is undertaken during dry months of the year especially between January to
March.
e) Charging of water users for water facility maintenance
In one of the studied kebeles (Tulube) water users are charged for the quantity of water they
collect from the hand pump station that is installed on a wetland spring. The money that is
generated from the users is used for maintenance of the water facility in this case the hand
pump. Every one is issued with a receipt for the money he pays during collecting water.
29
f) Placing of wooden polls across water springs
In order to avoid stepping in the water springs during water collection some communities put
wooden polls across the water springs. In this situation firstly they stop the water collector to
walk within the spring to collect water and maintain the quality of the water that is collected
from the spring. Secondly the polls are not suitable for livestock to walk on and will stop
them to use the water springs. Placing wooden polls across water springs is not practiced in
all communities. It is undertaken by communities that have a good coordination and the
springs are easily accessed by domestic stock.
g) Restricting people from washing clothes near the water springs
To ensure the quality of the water in the springs in some of the communities water users are
not allowed to wash their clothes near the wetland water spring. The assumption is that dirty
water from the washing will enter the spring and contributes to the deterioration of the water
quality. Some communities have developed a regulation that restrict from washing near the
water spring and this has to be done away from water springs with a minimum of 15-20
meters. This will reduce the direct flow of the dirty water into the spring.
30
9. Awareness creation and information dissemination at wereda and zonal
level
An awareness creation and information exchange workshop was undertaken in Metu Wereda
at the end of the project implementation. The primary objective of the workshop is to create
awareness among community groups, government authorities and staff as well NGO staff on
the status of wetland water supply status in rural Metu. Further to exchange information that
has been generated through the field research and PRA discussion with the local community.
Finally it was aimed to develop recommendations for a possibility of sustainable wetland
water springs management in the future in the Metu Wereda.
A total of 22 participants took part in this workshop that were drawn from a number of
institutions which include: Metu Wereda Administration, Illubabor Zone Administration,
Illubabor Zone DPPD, Metu Wereda Rural Development Office, Environment, Health,
Education, MfM, EMCCY, etc (see Annex I for details of the participants). Metu Wereda
Vice Administrator chaired the workshop. This was to make decision makers understand and
analyse the local problems and act on them as much as possible.
Two papers were presented in the workshop. The first paper titled “Wetland distribution,
benefit and Associated Problems in Metu Wereda” was presented by Ato Tilahun Semu from
Metu Wereda Environmental Desk. This was to give introductory and general information to
participants on wetland status in Metu wereda and their benefits to the community including
water supply.
The second paper that was the main focus of the discussion titled “Wetland water supplies:
Assessing the impacts in Metu Wereda, Illubabor Zone, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia”
was presented and discussed in detail.
The content of the paper that was presented in the workshop is fully covered in this paper and
to avoid redundancy it is not presented in this part. However, points that were raised by the
participants and discussed and the remarks that was made at the closing session by Ato Hailu,
the Vice Metu Wereda Administrator and the workshop chairperson will be summarized.
Finally management recommendations were made and these are included in the conclusion
and recommendation part of this paper.
a) Community awareness
Participants were find the results presented during the workshop one of interesting and
informative for future intervention both by the government and NGOs. However, awareness
creation at community level on the impact of using unclean water should be stressed as shortterm solution. In long term the construction of water schemes to supply safe water to
community was emphasized.
Further some communities damage the water schemes that have been built by NGOs to
supply safe water. This does not mean all community members are involved in such wrong
action but there are a few within the community that have bad behavior and the community
should be aware and stop them from undertaking such actions.
b) Coordination between community and institutions
Coordination between communities for sustainable management of water resource as well
31
wetland is vital and should be given priority. Other wise damage to wetlands and wetland
resources will be severe.
The participants also put more emphasis coordination between government and nongovernment institutions to act together to over come the problems of the community in
relation to water supply. Call was made to have a coordinated action between Agricultural
Office, Water, Health, Environment and NGOs to address the problems in a coordinated
manner.
c) Water schemes
Participants recognized that there is little information exchange between institutions on the
number of available water schemes built in the wereda and community members using them.
And thus agreed to share information among the institutions. Further, it was mentioned that
the current safe water schemes facilities number will decline and the proportion of safe water
users will as well. This is mainly associated with the salvation year of those water facilities
built by MfM. It is mentioned that the hand pumps built in the wereda are as old as ten to
fifteen years and has to be replaced. However, it was not clear who could replace them.
d) Policy and poverty related problems
Policy issue was raised in relation to wetland management. Many participants were asking
whether there is a wetland policy that regulates the management of wetlands. Participants
recognized that the use of wetlands and destruction is associated with increase of population.
They recognized during HS Regime the total population of Ethiopia was estimated at 19-22
million, during Derg 40-42 million and at present 62-64 million. This tremendous increase
has impacted on wetlands and many wetlands have destroyed. More democracy at present has
encouraged for miss management of the wetland resources and impacted on wetland water
spring. Thus it is essential according to the participants to have a wetland policy within the
land use policy in order to manage wetland resources on sustainable base.
The participants recognized that the over utilization of resources including wetlands are
associated with the poverty level that exist within the country. The government is putting
more emphasis to over come the problem. However, resource management issues should be
supported with policy.
e) Remarks made by the vice administrator
The vice administrator has made the following remarks.
• Coordination among institutions such as agriculture, natural resources, health and NGOs is
essential to solve the problems raised and discussed during the workshop. Further he
stressed that not to communicate wrong information or contradictor ideas to the
communities which might confuse them.
• The presence of policy is a crucial issue for better management of resources. However, it
shouldn’t be taken as last solution. Instead creating awareness with the community and
changing their attitudes is more effective and we have to bring attitude change within the
local community to ensure sustainable resource management in our wereda.
• The wereda administration is ready to cooperate in supporting institutions that are
operating in the wereda and listen to their technical recommendations in order to avert any
activities that damage the weredas natural resources.
32
10. Assessment of EWRP and EWNRA Recommendations for Sustainable
wetland Management
Ethiopian Wetlands Research Programme has operated in Illubabor Zone for more than three
years (1997 to early 2000). The main working localities were Metu and Yayu Weredas. Eight
core wetland sites were selected within the two weredas for intensive study. A number of
farmers who live close to this core sites were involved in information dissemination,
awareness creation workshops and training. Following the termination of field operation by
EWRP, EWNRA continued to disseminate information that was generated by EWRP. Over
the last one and half years EWNRA involved in training farmers, experts and development
workers on sustainable wetland management practices with more emphasis on multiple use of
wetlands. Further EWNRA involved on dissemination of technical information through
distributing technical materials such as extension material, technical leaflets and posters. In
addition running of awareness creation workshops in order to disseminate information for
decision makers and concerned public groups. Technical information was broadcasted
through Metu Local Radio Station to reach more audiences in the Southwest Ethiopia.
Thus during this field study attention was given to understand how far the information
disseminated and training undertaken by EWRP and EWNRA contributed towards wetland
water supply status in the studied kebeles.
However, the field study undertaken was based on the kebeles that were picked on a random
base and only two kebeles that were a focus area of EWRP were included in this study. Thus
the finding from this field study couldn’t significantly demonstrate the contribution of EWRP
and EWNRA. But in three kebeles farmers recognized that they have involved in awareness
creation conferences and training and benefited. They have explained that they have
disseminated the information that they have got from EWRP and EWNRA.
Report from earlier study undertaken by Dixon (2002) revealed the involvement of farmers
from two different kebeles namely Tulube and Adele Bise on the field activity and training
undertaken by EWRTP and EWNRA. Further they have elaborated that they have shared the
information they have got through involving in the information exchange workshop in Dire
wetland and training undertaken in Metu.
Thus it is early to conclude whether the technical information disseminated by the institutions
has contributed or not to the locals. It needs to monitor the results in kebeles that EWRP was
involved during the three years of field operation.
33
11. Conclusion and recommendations
In order to sustain wetland water supply status in Metu Wereda it is necessary to undertake a
number of measures.
Traditional wetland community practices have to be developed further for better management
of the scarce freshwater.
Overall the following measures should be taken in order to sustain and keep the quality of
water used by the local communities within the wereda.
a) Educating communities on water spring and water resources management
In order to keep sustainable wetland water supply it is essential to educate the community on
wetland and wetland resource management. Emphasis can be made on the scarcity of
freshwater supply in years to come and the consequence that may follow from the situation.
b) Encouraging participatory water spring management to over come the difficulties in
coordination among water users
Encouraging water users to overcome the problem in coordination is vital in order to improve
the use of water from the wetland springs. Educating the benefits that coordination among
themselves is not be neglected. This might result further to think to improve their water
supply situation by constructing water schemes to get safe/clean water through pooling out
the resources that they have. It will be easy for the water sector and health staff to educate
them on the issue of clean water use once the users have developed a good relation among
themselves to manage their water resources. This might result in pressurizing the government
to build for them a water scheme and even they can coordinate to apply for donors to support
them to improve their water supply status.
c) Involving women in decision making, training, etc to play a leading role in water
management
Women have to be involved in decision-making and given the chance to have a saying in
water management issue. They are the main actors in the countryside try to keep the quality
of water that the life of their family depends on. Women are the one who is bearing the main
burden of water collecting and ensure that enough water available for the family members.
They are the first to be concerned and take the responsibility from the problems arising
within the family due to the use of unsafe water. When children get sick because of the use of
unsafe water, mothers are the first to bear the burden and they are the one who are concerned
and took the children to health centers, even in some cases they are accompanied with men or
look for traditional treatments within their vicinity. In this case women have to have a strong
saying and their voices should be considered in decision-making and should play a leading
role.
d) To step up safe/clean water supply
It is very important to step up the supply of safe or clean water in order to improve the well
being of the rural community. Attention should be given by the local government to include
in the physical plans the construction of water schemes in order to speed up safe water
supply. This can be ensured through installing hand pumps and undertaking spring
developments. Involving water users to fetch construction materials that are easily available
in their vicinity such as gravel and sand can minimize the cost of constructing water schemes
34
such as cemented spring. Labor contribution can also lead to reduce cost of the construction.
In many communities where discussion was made water users were very eager to coordinate
in such activities and were requesting for financial support to undertake spring development
in their area. This could be encouraged by the local government and can be used as starting
point for developing cooperation among the water users for better management of their water
resources.
Participation of the community especially women in identifying areas where this schemes are
constructed is vital. Local community knows which water springs have a long lasting flow
than the outsiders and consultation is vital to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.
e) To maintain and manage the existing hand pumps to increase safe clean water supply
Adequate attention should be given to maintain the current water supply schemes to ensure
sustainable safe water supply. It is paramount importance to the local community to keep the
existing water schemes operational. In this regard training of water users to maintain the
schemes should be given a priority. Selected members could be trained on maintenance and
management of the schemes. Users should be organized and pay attention to manage the
schemes properly for continuous use of the schemes.
f) Catchment management
To ensure sustainable water flow within the water springs it is important that the catchments
are managed by the communities that are dependent on them. The catchment management
should involve water and soil conservation in agricultural fields and maintaining forest cover
where ever cultivation is not practiced is essential. Planting of indigenous plant species such
as Albiza is very important. These tree species were identified as important tree species that
are less interfering in the hydrological system. Which means they are less water demanding
plants according to the locals. Although further study on the tree species is required the
recommendations of the local community is also important and can be considered for
implementation, since it is based on log years of practical trial.
g) Registering key water points for management and future intervention
Inventory of available wetland springs and generally all water resources in the wereda is vital
for future management and intervention. This might include the number of household
fetching from this water recourses could be included in the inventory to set priorities for
future water scheme developments.
h) Excluding plant species that have adverse effect on the catchment hydrology near water
springs
Eucalyptus plants are recognized by the local communities as plant species that consume a
large quantity of water for growth. Other plants identified that demand large quantity of water
for growth and can impact spring flow includes Banana, Chatt and Sugarcane. Planting of this
plant species close to water springs are recognized as dangerous and recommended to plant
away from water resources. Thus excluding these plant species from catchments that are
important for water supply is vital for sustainable water flow and supply of drinking water.
i) Stopping draining wetlands for cropping and grazing close to water springs that are
important for water supply
Intensive draining of wetlands close to water springs has a detrimental effect on the flow of
water springs. Similarly overgrazing in the wetlands will have similar impact on the spring
35
flow. Thus it is necessary to keep a regular distance between water springs and drainage and
grazing to ensure sustainable flow of springs all year round.
j) Encouraging community to develop their own by-laws for sustainable water resource
management
It has a great benefit for the community to develop their own by-laws to sustainable manage
their own water resources. In communities where strong coordination has existed they have
developed their own by-laws and the management of their water resources especially that of
the springs is in better condition. Cleaning and fencing of the springs is undertaken in a
regular base and the problem arising from mismanagement is minimum. Thus it is advisable
to encourage local communities to develop their own by-laws and to abide to these laws.
k) To make known the problem of the community to government authorities and donors in
order to get financial support
The proportion of the community that is using safe water is non-significant and it is essential
to give due attention to revert this scenario. In this regard the government have to play a
leading role through coordinating local communities to pool their resources and built water
supply schemes. In this regard the government financial support is vital for the success of the
building up of the water schemes.
Further to inform donors the current situation that prevails within the local community is vital
to win a financial and technical support.
36
12. Financial statement
To implement this project a total of Birr 30,000 was granted by Sida. Until the end of the
project duration Birr 27664.48 was spent and Birr 2335.52 is remaining. The detail of the
budget utilization is given in Table 17.
Table 1. Approved and utilized budget
Description of costs
Approved Utilized
(Birr)
(Birr)
Balance
(Birr)
1. Material cost
1.1 Paper for data collection from field and report writing
1.2 Pencils for field work
1.3 Pens
1.4 Clipboard
1.5 Note book
1.6 Questionnaire production cost
Sub total
720.00
12.00
30.00
60.00
60.00
298.00
1180.00
806
0
0
168.5
0
192
1166.50
-86.00
12.00
30.00
-108.50
60.00
106.00
13.50
2 Data acquiring cost
2.1 4 Enumerators for field work (3 months at 400.00
b/m)
2.2 Researchers salary 2 days/month for 3 months
2.3 Researcher perdiem 2 days/month over 3 months
2.4 Staff perdiem 4 days/month 4 staff over 3 months
Sub total
4800.00
2400.00
600.00
1920.00
9720.00
5729.00
2400.00
600.00
3705.00
12434.00
-929.00
0.00
0.00
-1785.00
-2714.00
3. Case studies and information exchanging cost
3.1 Researchers salary 2 days/month for 3 months
3.2 Perdiem 2 days/month for 4 months
3.3 Perdiem for 1 workshop (20 people)
3.4 Material production cost for the workshop
Sub total
2400.00
800.00
800.00
200.00
4200.00
2400.00
800.00
800.00
10.50
4010.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
189.50
189.50
3600.00
351.50
3248.50
6300.00
9900.00
4901.98
5253.48
1398.02
4646.52
4800.00
200.00
5000.00
30000.00
4800.00
0.00
4800.00
27664.48
0.00
200.00
200.00
2335.52
4 Transport cost
4.1 staff for 20 days per month over 3 months
4.2 Vehicle hire 5 days/month over 3 months (fuel
included)
Sub total
5. Data analyzing and report writing time
5.1 Researchers salary 3 days over 4 months
5.2 Report producing cost
Sub total
Total
37
13. References
Afework H. (1998). An overview of wetland use in Illubabor Zone, South-west Ethiopia, A
Wereda Survey, EWRP, Metu Illubabor.
Afework Hailu, Wood & Dixon (2000). Nature, Extent and Trends in Wetland Drainage and
Use in Illubabor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, Mettu, Illubaor.
CSA (1994) . !994 House and population Census, Central Statistics Authority, Addis Ababa.
Tegenge Sishaw, (1999). Agriculture and land use in and around the wetlands of Wangenye
and Bake-Chora Peasant Associations, Illubabor Zone, Masters Thesis in
Geography, AAU.
Metu Agricultural Office (2000). Metu Werda landuse survey, Metu. Illubabor.
Metu Agricultural Office (1998). Annual Report of 1998, Metu Illubabor.
38
Annex I. List of kebeles general assessment undertaken
No.
Name of kebeles
Adele Bisse
1
Ale Buya
2
Alega Guracha
3
Agelo Eko
4
Becho
5
Beroye
6
Beroye Gebisa
7
Beroye Shenkora
8
Bokkoji
9
Burusa
10
Dizi
11
Fugo Serdo
12
Geye
13
14
Kemisse
Maru
15
Mede
16
Serdo
17
Siba
18
Suli
19
Tubi
20
Tulube
21
Tubbi
22
Ulmaye
23
Ukuri
24
Annex II. List of kebeles surveyed and size of household studied from each kebele
No.
Name of kebeles
Total HH size
Samples HH size
1
Adele Bisse
627
100
2
Becho
343
60
3
Beroye
230
50
4
Burusa
347
58
5
Dizi
240
83
6
Fugo Serdo
519
117
7
Geye
240
82
8
Serdo
434
87
9
Siba
370
79
10
Tubi
330
88
11
Tulube
511
93
12
Ulmaye
426
113
13
Ukuri
313
92
Total
493 0
1102
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Annex III Points discussed in PRA workshops
Developing history of water springs in wetlands through participatory research work
A.
PRA Activities to be undertaken
1. Resource mapping of the wetland catchment that includes major resources and land use in
the wetland (distribution of water springs in different categories, landuse, residence area,
etc)
2. Using proportional pilling to identify the change of landuse in the catchment and discuss
the impact on the water supply status
3. Using wealth ranking to identify the household into different socio-economic categories
and try to trace the quantity of water each socio-economic group collect
B. Points identified for discussion with the local community to develop the history of the
wetlands.
I. General points
1. To discuss with farmers since when they started to collect water from the wetland spring
or for how many generation do they think the spring have been used
2. Who first they think located the spring and encouraged to collect from this spring
3. Do they remember collecting water from other spring before they have started to collect
water from this specific wetland spring
II. Water users and supply status
1. Who is using water from this wetland water spring (human, livestock, wildlife)
2. How many HH collect water from this wetland water spring all year round
3. In average how many letters of water each house hold collects
4. Is there any significant difference in the fellow of water over years and seasons
5. Have they ever faced water supply problem from this wetland
III. Quality and health associated
1. What is the feeling of the community about the quality of the water
2. If there is a change in the quality of the water what has brought such change/variation
3. Do they have ever faced with a health problem in association using a water from this
spring
4. If there is any health problem please explain and how do they recognize the problem and
how many people have been affected
5. And how do they solved the problem
IV. Management
1. What sort of management practices do they developed over the years to manage the
spring
2. How do they think that they can improve the water quality from the spring
V. Impact identifying points
™ Identify the wetland drainage on the water springs with wetland,
™ Identify grazing impact on the water springs within the wetland
™ Identify catchment deforestation on the springs within the wetland
™ Identify the planting of destructive plants in the wetlands and water springs
40
a) First identify the landuse both in the wetland and the catchment using a resource
mapping.
b) History of water spring
™ When did they start to use the spring
™ Who located the spring, do they remember
™ For who many years do they have now used this spring
™ What variation do they have observed in the water
♦ Quantity over years and seasons
♦ Quality over years and seasons
™ Why do they think this is happening
™ Do that have a relation with the landuse in the wetland and the catchment. If so how?
™ Do they observe a change in the quantity of water due to increased number of water
collectors.
™ Do they have undertaken any management measures to ensure the quality as well as the
quantity of the water supply? If so what measures do they have taken? Do the measures
improved anything. If so what thing on the quality or quantity.
™ Do this water spring have dried out as far as they could remember? If so when and why?
What measures were taken to rehabilitate its flow? If so what was the out come?
What impacts have resulted from
™ Wetland agriculture on the water springs
™ Grazing on the water springs
™ Catchment deforestation on the water springs
™ Planting of destructive crops in the wetland
™ Planting of destructive crops in the catchment
™ What other human impacts as far as they recognized has impacted on the water supply
status of the wetland water springs.
™ What is the future management suggestion to improve the water supply as well the quality
of the water? Discussing management options.
™ Discussing management options.
c)
™
™
™
In relation to dried water springs
For how long the spring was in use before completely dried out?
When did the spring is completely dried out?
What are major causes for the drying up of the springs
List the
• Catchment deforestation
• Grazing
• Wetland agriculture
d) Discuss management options in general
e) Transcit walk into the wetlands spring and photo the current status of the springs.
VI. Knowledge source about wetlands management
• Do they have got training on wetland management as well water spring
management
• If they have got training from who? And what sort of training?
41
•
•
Do they think the training is important for them and contributed to improve
wetland/spring management?
What are the part of training results they have applied practical? And do they
think containing of the training is important for them.
VII. Other points
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Annex IV. List of communities participated in PRA discussion
No
Community groups
Female
1
Serdo/Keresa Community
3
2
Tulube/Mendido Community
8
3
Tulube/Tona Community
9
4
Tulube/Tulube Community
5
5
Serdo/Abba Jima Community
3
6
Adele Bise/Keresa Community
6
7
Kodo Hire Community
6
8
Rob Gebeya Community
3
9
Bubu/Boto Community
4
Annex V. List of workshop participants
No. List of participants
Organization represented
Metu Wereda Administration
Hailu Legesse
1
Illubabor Zone Administration
Mesfin Moges
2
Illubabor MfM Project
Asrat Lemma
3
Metu Wereda Water Office
Nigussie Shanko
4
Metu Wereda Agriculture
Almaz Mekonen
5
EECMY-IBS
Tesema Yadeta
6
Metu Wereda Natural R. Office
Negussie Bulbula
7
Metu Wereda Agriculture
Tadesse G/Silasse
8
DPPD
Mekonen Taye
9
Irrigation
10 Tsega Sambi
Water Resources
11 Fayisa Tolosa
M.W. H.C.
12 Ibrahim Abdu
M.W. Supply
13 Sileshi Nopassa
M.W.S
14 Tesfaye Eshetu
Wereda Capacity Building
15 Yadeta Tiruneh
Wereda Education Office
16 Abate Lemma
Rural Development Office
17 Jima Diriba
Metu Junior
18 Azalech Befkadu
Metu H. Center
19 Alebachew Hailu
Metu Environment Desk
20 Qinaaxii Garaan
Metu Environment Desk
21 Tilahun Semu
EWNRA
22 Afework Hailu
Participants
Male
12
10
18
8
13
8
8
7
9
Total
15
18
27
13
16
14
14
10
13
Job title
Wereda Administrator
Plan & Program Expert
Rural Water Section Head
Electrician
Horticulture Expert
Water Dev. Coordinator
Expert Water Shade Dev.
Crop Agronomist
Department Head
CPPS
Community Participation
Sanitarian
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Head of Department
Expert of 2ry Schools
Head
Inspector
Sanitarian
Head of the Desk
43