MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG

CENTRAL ETHIOPIA WATER, IRRIGATION &

MINES DEVELOPMENT BUREAU

AND

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTONS:

WELKITE UNIVERSITY, WERABE UNIVERSITY

& WACHAMO UNIVERSITY

ON

DRINKING WATER QUALITY CONTROL AND

LABORATORY WATER QUALITY TEST

March 2024
1
 Table of Contents
1. PREAMBLE........................................................................................................................................3
2. Objectives of MOU.............................................................................................................................4
3. Major areas of cooperation................................................................................................................5
4. Scope of collaboration...........................................................................................................................5
5. Duties and Responsibilities....................................................................................................................6
Water Irrigation & Mines Development Bureau (WIMDB)......................................................................6
Responsibilities of universities...............................................................................................................6
6. Duration of MOU................................................................................................................................7
7. Amendment of MOU...........................................................................................................................7

1. PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, Central Ethiopia Regional State Water, Irrigation and Mines Development Bureau
(WIMDB), Wolkite University (WKU), Wachamo University (WCU) and Worabe University (WRU)
2
(hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties”) recognize the importance of trilateral cooperation to
create mutual benefit from system Drinking Water Quality Laboratory Testing and knowledge transfer
relations.
WHEREAS, Central Ethiopia Regional State WIMDB established with aims of Provision of safe and
adequate water supply and basic sanitation for people in the region and the Bureau recognizes the
importance of higher education institution’s role in promoting industry, collaboration and increased
contribution to social development of the nation.
WHERE AS, WKU,WCU and WRU are the higher education institutions established with the aims of
developing qualified human resource to the economy, conducting problem solving researches and
providing solutions to the society.
WHEREAS, the parties recognize the importance of strengthening the innovative capacities of local
industries and advance industry-driven research and innovation, and believes to set the ground for
longerterm university-industry partnerships in Ethiopia;
NOW THEREFORE, in the spirit of promoting closer relationships and building on the existing
expertise and skills between the Parties, the Parties hereby agree to work cooperatively to the fullest
possible extent consistent with their respective laws and policies to facilitate the establishment of strong
collaboration according to terms and conditions set out in the articles hereunder.
Provision of safe and adequate water supply and basic sanitation for people is necessary for health,
productivity and improved quality of life. Healthy and productive population will contribute much to the
socioeconomic development of a country. Ethiopia has set vision to reach the level of middle-income
countries by the year 2025. However, this vision cannot be achieved without fulfilment of provision of
these basic necessities for the whole population.
The target set by the country to reach 100% coverage in providing access to water supply and basic
sanitation facilities is not yet achieved despite the fact that different ministries have been working
according to the plan incorporated in GTP. But, each ministry concerned more with water supply,
sanitation and hygiene work separately in nonintegrated manner.
Drinking water supply coverage in Ethiopia is amongst the lowest in the world. Access to safe water
supply has direct positive impact on health. Health condition of the public is not yet improved as the
general public morbidity and mortality rates is still at its higher level. The situation is more severe in
case of children, women and elderly which are relatively more vulnerable.

3
Regardless of their social status and living standard, every individual has equal right to have access to
clean water supply for it plays vital role and has potential benefits in improving living condtions.
From the stand point of health and productivity benefits, supply of adequate and safe drinking water
contribute significantly to the achievement of Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End
Poverty (PASDEP).
The former regional state (SNNPRS) Water Irrigation and Mines Bureau, had a well equiped laboratory
for water quality test and have served for years providing water quality control facility. However, all the
lab instruments were transferred to the south west regional state after the new region had been
established. Unfortunately, the newly established bureau of Central Ethiopia Regional Stata lacks water
quality laboratory facilities and therefore unable to carry out quality monitoring and control works
within the region. With all these inconvinience and non conducive environment, it is unlikely to provide
sufficiently pure and safe drinking water. For this reason integration among various concerned
institutions is so necessary to work cooperatively in ordre to minimize the likelyhood of risks from water
borne and water related diseases .
This memorandum of understanding (MOU) is prepared with a purpose of clearly identifying the role
and responsibilities of WIMDB and higher education institutions within the region.

2. Objectives of MOU
This MoU is inteded to address the water quality issues of the region through technical collaboration
between the parties for the achievement of their strategic plan with the following specific objectives:-
1. To assess the critical water quality parameters which have accute and chronic health impact on
humans
2. To play role in prevention of community health problems related to drinking water problems.
3. To bring efforts together for effective resolution of water quality problems
4. To make proper and effective use of natural gift, kwoledge, skills and potential of intelectuals
(scholars) for economic and social development of the country in general and of the surrounding
community in particular
5. To create a sprit of institutional cooperation and linkage to attain expected outcomes. Making an
agreement to work together for achievement of common goal will definitely have positive impact
for overall development of the country.
6. To bring about integrated and cooperative framework between the two partners
4
3. Major areas of cooperation
Some specific areas in which partners need to work together include the following:
 Protection of water at source, storage, treatment, pumping, distribution and control of its quality
from catchment to end user or in all these stages of the water supply chain.
 The parties have agreed to work closely in areas of water quality monitoring, test, analysis and regular
follow up of progress to ensure supply of water with acceptable quality.
 Water Quality Control and Surveillance :- Includes control/monitoring of water quality from
the source to distribution and evaluating the compliance with the standard.
 Having integrated short and long term plan for water sampling and analysis
 Working together and proactively conducting water supply system risk assessments and
exchange information gathered before occurrence of hazardous events.
 Be highly concerned, cooperative, give priority and mobilize resources during emergencies that
have public health significance.
 Organize meetings jointly at regular basis or/and as situation demands.
 Undertake water quality surveillance (jointly or separately) and share information on the result
 Make sure that the water supplied for drinking purpose and domestic use satisfies the
requirements of WHO guidelines and Ethiopian standard.
 Working collaboratively to ensure that water enviroments are adequately protected from
pollution in accordance with Water related policies, laws, regulations and standards
 Cooperation in solving water quality problems associated with Fluoride and Iron through
adaptation of suitable alternative treatment technologies
 Ensure proper implementation of water safety plan for sustainablesafe water supply

4. Scope of collaboration
The Partners will attempt to collaborate in the following areas:
Jointly working on water sampling, test and analysis to ensure supply of safe drinking water for
protection of human health.
Preparation and exchange of data, information, publications, report and feedback after monitoring and
evaluation process.

5
5. Duties and Responsibilities
Water Irrigation & Mines Development Bureau (WIMDB)
Central Ethiopia Water Irrigation and Mines Development Bureau shall have the following
responsibilities:-
 Controlling all environmental factors that affect the health of the general public by
developing, utilization, conservation, protection of the water resources for the highest social
and economic benefits.

 Collect and transport water samples to to the universities (WKU,WCU and WRU) for
test and analysis.
 Cover the cost of sampling materials, transportation, fuel and perdiem of sample collecter
and driver.
 The bureau shall have the resposibility to provide vehicle for transportation, driver and
water quality expert for sample collection.
 Collection of test result and well organized report from the university upon completion of
the test and analysis
 Effecting the payment for all the services provided in accordance with the agreement
among the parties

Responsibilities of universities

 Prepare all the necessary laboratory instruments, materials and reagents prior to arrival of
collected water samples
 Cost of reagents and othe necessary materials is covered initially by the university, however it
will be payed for the service provided later on or upon submit of report.
 Be cooperative to host consultative meetings/assemblies whenever desired
 Give consultation services in mitigation of quality problems associated with iron and fluoride
 Provide standard sample collecting materials properly washed and rinsed with acid, distilled
water or sterilised based on parameters for which a test is to be conducted
 Provide portable water quality test instruments for onsite test of parametrs that need to be tested
promptly after sample collection
 Travel to fields together with the partner for joint work as and where situation demands
 Prepare and offer clear cost for each specific service to be provided
6
  Conduct water quality test and analysis in accordance with the standard procedures
 Deliver the test result within the time schedule agreed upon as early as possible
 Value confidentiality and honesty in delivering test results.
 Any doubt in test result should be corrected by resampling in mutual agreement rather than
separate decision to change the result.

1. Duration of MOU
This MOU between CEWIMB and Universities shall update signing for a period of twelve months
and may continue to update for even larger scope of collaborative works.

7. Amendment of MOU
The term of this MOU is subjected to change and the change shall be valid only if it is made in written
form under mutual agreement of the parties.
In witness whereof፡- the Parties have caused this agreement, signed by their authorized representatives,
to be executed in duplicate copies in English. The English version shall be regarded as the standard
reference, should there be any discrepancy between the parties in interpretation of the article(s) of this
agreement.

Signed for and on behalf of each of the parties by:

1. CERS
Name_________________________
1.1. Water Bureau
7
 Position_______________________
Name_________________________
Signature_____________________
Position_______________________
Date__________________________
Signature______________________
2. Universities
3. Date__________________________
3.1. Wachamo University
3.3. Welkite University
Name____________________________
Name_________________________
Position__________________________
Position_______________________
Signature_________________________ Signature_____________________
_
Date Date__________________________
3.2. Werabe University