The EMW Clean Water Program takes a generally accepted, community-based approach similar to that taken by other INGOs in Vietnam and other countries in the region, and similar to the upcoming $45 million Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in the Red River Delta co-financed by World Bank.
The project planning and development approach begins by discussing selection of potential beneficiary communities with the local authorities using clear and agreed upon selection criteria, and then making initial visits to prospective communities to discuss the goal, objectives, and procedures for planning, constructing and maintaining simple piped water systems in selected communities.
Once agreements are made between the responsible parties (participating communities, local authorities, and EMW), water source selection and testing, engineering design, procurement of goods, materials and equipment, and construction proceeds, with very strong community involvement in virtually all aspects of planning and system development.
EMW has successfully coordinated its activities to ensure the necessary cooperation and active support from the local authorities. This is in part due to the limited geographic focus of the program, so that there has been ample time to develop good working relationships with the local authorities especially in Quang Nam Province. This is critical to ensure the success of development programs in Vietnam.
Thus far the EMW program has successfully applied its very participatory planning and development process for improved water supply through the construction of 67 piped water systems (plus a small number of dugwells, hand pumps and latrines) since its origin in 1996. Another 17 piped water systems are expected to be completed by the end of 2006. EMW plans to significantly expand the Clean Water and Sanitation Program in 2007 and thereafter.
