11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
[HCG23-02] Assessment of Social and Physical Factors Sustaining Autonomously Managed Water Systems: Case Study of Tosayama-Japan and Luumbo-Zambia
Keywords:Behaviour, Autonomy, Management, Water system, Small-community
Autonomously Managed Water Systems (AMWS) are locally governed, community-led systems that provide essential water supplies in remote or underserved areas. These systems play an important role not only in providing water to small communities but have an impact on fostering relationships that can improve the resilience of communities that employ them. The systems are also critical for water in communities where centralized systems are either unavailable or unreliable. Our hypothesis is that autonomous management is sustained by providing communities whose sense of efficacy and autonomy enables them to self-organize and maintain their water systems over long periods. In contrast, many centrally implemented agencies tend to create dependency on external agencies or implementers, potentially weakening local initiatives. Like many initiatives, AMWS face challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, external physical and socio-political pressures. While much of the existing literature on water governance tends to isolate either the social or physical dimensions of water systems, there remains a significant gap in studies that comprehensively integrate both aspects. of autonomous water management using case studies in two rural communities: Takagawa-Tosayama in Japan and Luumbo-Gwembe in Zambia.
Using a mixed-methods approach, this research employed physical surveys, household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and thematic analysis to examine managing community behaviors, environmental conditions, and institutional governance structures. Findings that indicate self-efficacy among individuals and a strong sense of responsibility fostered cohesive relationships through cooperation and collaboration, enabling sustained autonomy in their water systems. This pattern was observed in both study areas. In Tosayama, environmental stewardship was culturally ingrained, while in Luumbo, customary beliefs and religious ties played a key role in governance. Tosayama had high-quality, coliform-free spring water, while Luumbo faced contamination risks from agriculture and poor sanitation. The spring-fed sources provided stable year-round supply in both locations, however, Luumbo's geography caused uneven water access, particularly in higher altitude areas. Community-led institutional structures allowed these communities to adapt to environmental challenges such as water scarcity. Disputes were resolved through community meetings in both areas, with Tosayama legal incorporating enforcement and Luumbo relying on customary laws. External pressures from population disturbances, ie depopulation due to migration in Tosayama and population increase due to immigration in Luumbo where cause for challenges. In Tosayama, it meant less human-resource for labor and maintenance works, while in Luumbo the exceeded intended designs of the water system.
The study concluded that social demand behaviors played a significant role in fostering autonomy for the management of water systems in small communities.
Recommendations included the strengthening of community participation in water monitoring through locally developed and socially accepted methods, alongside the gradual introduction of advanced monitoring technologies like functional billing gauges. Further, integrating traditional and formal governance through socially accepted structures could strengthen existing social behaviors by incorporating traditional leadership and communal decision-making with formal legal structures. This integration could promote acceptance of formal assistance, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, and improve compliance with water management rules.
Using a mixed-methods approach, this research employed physical surveys, household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and thematic analysis to examine managing community behaviors, environmental conditions, and institutional governance structures. Findings that indicate self-efficacy among individuals and a strong sense of responsibility fostered cohesive relationships through cooperation and collaboration, enabling sustained autonomy in their water systems. This pattern was observed in both study areas. In Tosayama, environmental stewardship was culturally ingrained, while in Luumbo, customary beliefs and religious ties played a key role in governance. Tosayama had high-quality, coliform-free spring water, while Luumbo faced contamination risks from agriculture and poor sanitation. The spring-fed sources provided stable year-round supply in both locations, however, Luumbo's geography caused uneven water access, particularly in higher altitude areas. Community-led institutional structures allowed these communities to adapt to environmental challenges such as water scarcity. Disputes were resolved through community meetings in both areas, with Tosayama legal incorporating enforcement and Luumbo relying on customary laws. External pressures from population disturbances, ie depopulation due to migration in Tosayama and population increase due to immigration in Luumbo where cause for challenges. In Tosayama, it meant less human-resource for labor and maintenance works, while in Luumbo the exceeded intended designs of the water system.
The study concluded that social demand behaviors played a significant role in fostering autonomy for the management of water systems in small communities.
Recommendations included the strengthening of community participation in water monitoring through locally developed and socially accepted methods, alongside the gradual introduction of advanced monitoring technologies like functional billing gauges. Further, integrating traditional and formal governance through socially accepted structures could strengthen existing social behaviors by incorporating traditional leadership and communal decision-making with formal legal structures. This integration could promote acceptance of formal assistance, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, and improve compliance with water management rules.