UNIVERSITY OF JUBA

SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY STUDIES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS OF RURAL WATER

SUPPLY
A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL MINISTRY OF WATER AND
IRRIGATION

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF JUBA,

SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY STUDIES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF A DIPLOMA IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

PREPARED BY: KHALID OLEYO BURUK

INDEX NO: 017 – CRD – 183

SUPERVISED BY: VICTOR PITIA

OCTOBER, 2023
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction
Rural water supply is a major challenge in South Sudan. Millions of people in rural areas lack
access to clean and safe water, which has serious consequences for their health and well-
being. The management and operational problems of rural water supply are complex and
multifaceted, and they can be difficult to address.
The National Ministry of Water and Irrigation (NMWI) is responsible for overseeing the rural
water supply sector in South Sudan. However, the ministry faces a number of challenges,
including: lack of financial resources, inadequate human resources, weak institutional
capacity and poor coordination between different levels of government and with other
stakeholders. These challenges lead to a number of management and operational problems,
including: inefficient use of resources, lack of maintenance and repair, and technological
challenges.
the management and operational problems of rural water supply have a significant impact on
the rural population. Lack of access to clean and safe water can lead to a variety of health
problems, including waterborne diseases, diarrhea, and malnutrition. It can also have a
negative impact on children's education and productivity.

1.1 Background
South Sudan is a young country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The
country has experienced a long civil war, which has caused widespread damage to
infrastructure and institutions. This has made it difficult to develop and maintain a reliable
rural water supply system.
The rural water supply sector in South Sudan is characterized by a number of challenges,
including:
Low coverage: Only about 40% of the rural population has access to clean and safe water.
Poor quality: The quality of rural water supply is often poor, due to poor maintenance and
contamination.
Uneven distribution: Water supply is unevenly distributed across the country, with some
regions having much better access than others.
High cost: The cost of providing rural water supply is high, due to the challenges of working
in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
The NMWI is responsible for developing and implementing national policies and strategies
for the rural water supply sector. The ministry also works with other government agencies,
NGOs, and donors to provide rural water supply services to the population.
Management and operational problems
The NMWI faces a number of challenges in managing and operating the rural water supply
sector. These challenges include:
Lack of financial resources: The NMWI does not have enough financial resources to meet
the needs of the rural water supply sector. This is due to a number of factors, including the
country's economic underdevelopment and the ongoing conflict.
Inadequate human resources: The NMWI does not have enough qualified staff to manage
and operate the rural water supply sector. This is due to a lack of training opportunities and
the low salaries of government employees.
Weak institutional capacity: The NMWI has weak institutional capacity. This is due to a
number of factors, including the country's recent independence and the lack of experience of
its staff.
Poor coordination: There is poor coordination between the NMWI and other government
agencies, as well as with NGOs and donors. This makes it difficult to plan and implement
rural water supply projects effectively.
These challenges lead to a number of management and operational problems, including:
Inefficient use of resources: The NMWI often does not use its resources efficiently, due to a
lack of planning and coordination. This can lead to wastage of resources and delays in the
implementation of projects.
Lack of maintenance and repair: Many rural water supply systems are in poor condition
due to lack of maintenance and repair. This can lead to water shortages and contamination.
Technological challenges: The NMWI often does not have the necessary technological
capacity to manage and operate rural water supply systems effectively. This can lead to
problems such as inefficient water use and poor water quality.
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.3.1 Main objective
The main objective of this study is to investigate the management and operational problems
of rural water supply in the National Ministry of Water and Irrigation (NMWI) of South
Sudan and to develop recommendations for addressing them.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the study are to:
Identify the root causes of the management and operational problems of rural water supply in
the NMWI.
Assess the impact of the management and operational problems on the rural population.
Develop recommendations for addressing the management and operational problems of rural
water supply in the NMWI.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study is significant because it will provide insights into the management and operational
problems of rural water supply in South Sudan. The study will identify the root causes of
these problems and develop recommendations for addressing them.

The study will be of benefit to a number of stakeholders, including:

The National Ministry of Water and Irrigation: The study will provide the NMWI with
valuable information on the management and operational problems of rural water supply.
This information can be used to develop and implement more effective policies and
programs.

Other government agencies: The study will also be of benefit to other government agencies
involved in the rural water supply sector, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of
Local Government.

NGOs and donors: The study will also be of benefit to NGOs and donors working in the
rural water supply sector. The information from the study can be used to design and
implement more effective projects and programs.

The rural population: The study will ultimately benefit the rural population of South Sudan
by providing access to clean and safe water. This will lead to improved health, education, and
productivity.

1.5 Research question

1. What are the root causes of the management and operational problems of rural water
supply in the NMWI?
2. What are the specific management and operational problems faced by the NMWI in
the rural water supply sector?
 3. What is the impact of the management and operational problems of rural water supply
on the rural population of South Sudan?
4. What are the recommendations for addressing the management and operational
problems of rural water supply in the NMWI?

1.5 Significance of the study

The significance of this study is that it will provide insights into the management and
operational problems of rural water supply in the National Ministry of Water and Irrigation in
South Sudan. The study will identify the root causes of these problems and develop
recommendations for addressing them.

The study will be of benefit to a number of stakeholders, including:

The National Ministry of Water and Irrigation: The study will provide the NMWI with
valuable information on the management and operational problems of rural water supply.
This information can be used to develop and implement more effective policies and
programs.
Other government agencies: The study will also be of benefit to other government agencies
involved in the rural water supply sector, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of
Local Government.
NGOs and donors: The study will also be of benefit to NGOs and donors working in the rural
water supply sector. The information from the study can be used to design and implement
more effective projects and programs.
The rural population: The study will ultimately benefit the rural population of South Sudan
by providing access to clean and safe water. This will lead to improved health, education, and
productivity.
In addition, the study will make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge
on the management and operational problems of rural water supply in developing countries.
The study will provide insights into the specific challenges faced by South Sudan, as well as
lessons learned that can be applied to other countries.
Overall, this study is significant because it is addressing a major challenge in South Sudan
and has the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people.
1.6 Scope of the study
The scope of this study is to investigate the management and operational problems of rural
water supply in the National Ministry of Water and Irrigation (NMWI) in South Sudan. The
study will focus on the following areas:
Financial resources: The study will assess the financial resources available to the NMWI for
rural water supply, and identify any constraints.
Human resources: The study will assess the human resources available to the NMWI for rural
water supply, and identify any gaps in terms of quantity, skills, and experience.
Institutional capacity: The study will assess the institutional capacity of the NMWI to manage
and operate rural water supply systems, and identify any gaps.
Coordination: The study will assess the coordination between the NMWI and other
stakeholders involved in rural water supply, and identify any challenges.
Impact on the rural population: The study will assess the impact of the management and
operational problems of rural water supply on the rural population of South Sudan.
The study will be limited to the NMWI and the rural water supply sector. It will not cover
urban water supply or other water-related issues such as sanitation or irrigation.
The study will be conducted over a period of one year. The data collection will involve a
survey of NMWI staff, interviews with NMWI staff, community members, and other
stakeholders, and a review of government documents.
The findings of the study will be disseminated through a research report, presentations, and
publications in academic journals.

1.7 Limitations of the study

The limitations of this study include;
Limited scope: The study is limited to the National Ministry of Water and Irrigation (NMWI)
and the rural water supply sector. It does not cover urban water supply or other water-related
issues such as sanitation or irrigation.
Limited time: The study will be conducted over a period of one year. This may limit the
amount of data that can be collected and analyzed.
Limited resources: The study will be conducted with limited financial and human resources.
This may limit the scope and depth of the research.
Limited access to data: The study may be limited by access to data from the NMWI and other
government agencies.
Language barriers: The study may be limited by the language barrier between the researchers
and some of the participants.
Despite these limitations, the study is expected to make a significant contribution to the
understanding of the management and operational problems of rural water supply in South
Sudan. The findings of the study will be used to develop recommendations for addressing
these problems and improving the provision of rural water supply services.

1.8 Organisation of the research

The research on the management and operational problems of rural water supply in the
National Ministry of Water and Irrigation in South Sudan can be organized into the following
chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction
 Background on rural water supply in South Sudan
 The National Ministry of Water and Irrigation
 Management and operational problems of rural water supply
 Research objectives
 Significance of the study
 Scope of the study
 Limitations of the study
 Organization of the research
Chapter 2: Literature Review
 Management and operational problems of rural water supply in developing countries
 Management and operational problems of rural water supply in South Sudan
 Theoretical frameworks for understanding rural water supply problems
Chapter 3: Methodology
 Research design
 Data collection methods
 Data analysis methods
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
 Findings on the management and operational problems of rural water supply in the
NMWI
 Impact of the management and operational problems on the rural population
 Discussion of the findings in the context of the literature review
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
 Summary of the main findings
  Recommendations for addressing the management and operational problems of rural
water supply in the NMWI
References
Appendices
 Survey instrument
 Government documents reviewed