A Milestone Achievement: Acts for Water Awarded Service Provider Agreement for Ibanda

This month marks a momentous occasion for the Acts for Water team. We’re excited to share that the Ministry of Water in Uganda has verbally confirmed that we are on track to be awarded the Area Service Provider Agreement for the Ibanda District—a breakthrough that has been years in the making. While we await the official signing, this is a significant step forward in our mission to provide clean water access.

The Area Service Provider (ASP) model has become an essential framework for Acts for Water’s work in Uganda. This model ensures that the water systems we build remain sustainable, efficient, and reliable for the communities we serve.

What is the ASP Model?

The ASP model represents a transformative shift from the traditional community-based maintenance system (CBMS) to a more professional and centralized approach to rural water management. Under this framework, ASPs are responsible for operating and maintaining water facilities within specific geographic areas. This ensures that clean water continues to flow long after a system is built.

What Does This Mean for Us?

With this agreement, Acts for Water is now responsible for maintaining, extending, and rehabilitating water systems across Ibanda, serving approximately 300,000 people. This is not just about providing access to clean water but ensuring it remains sustainable through professional management and consistent maintenance. Our responsibility to keep water flowing in the region will be a key factor in its long-term success.

A Journey Three Years in the Making

This achievement is the result of three years of negotiations, discussions, and planning with local governments and key stakeholders. While it seemed like a distant goal at times, this award marks the culmination of our dedicated efforts. It represents a significant step forward, enabling us to serve even more people in a more impactful and effective way.

Why This is a Game-Changer

The ASP model is at the heart of this agreement. It gives Acts for Water full responsibility for water system management in Ibanda, including:

• Training local communities on how to maintain and manage their water access points effectively.
• Ongoing system maintenance, ensuring that repairs and upgrades are handled promptly and professionally.
• Overseeing all extensions and rehabilitations, allowing us to control the quality and sustainability of the systems.

This agreement is not only a significant step in providing water to more people, but it also enables revenue generation. Revenue that will fund long-term system maintenance, allowing us to continuously operate water systems while expanding and improving services for the communities we serve.

Key Features of the ASP Model

• Operations and Maintenance: ASPs are tasked with the regular servicing and repair of water points in their designated areas, ensuring swift action when issues arise and uninterrupted water supply.
• Fee Collection: Water users pay a small fee for access, which helps fund ongoing maintenance and repairs, ensuring that systems don’t fall into disrepair due to lack of resources.
• Contracts and Agreements: ASPs work under performance contracts with local governments, guaranteeing accountability and transparency. They also enter service agreements with communities, giving them the authority to manage and maintain water systems effectively.
• Monitoring and Reporting: ASPs regularly report their findings and financial data to local governments, participating in performance review meetings. This ensures that water systems are consistently evaluated and optimized for quality and efficiency.

What’s Next?

Now that we have secured the agreement, the real work begins. Our team is prepared to move forward with the necessary training, maintenance, and system extensions that will bring lasting change to Ibanda. We aren’t just maintaining water systems—we’re securing a sustainable future for 300,000 people, ensuring clean and safe water for generations to come.

This milestone solidifies our belief that sustainability is achievable with the right models and partnerships in place. Acts for Water is proud to take this significant step forward in our mission to provide life-saving access to clean water and create a future where water scarcity is no longer a barrier for communities to thrive.

Here’s to a brighter, flowing future for Ibanda and beyond.