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Design and Implementation of an Urban Water Kiosk Project
The Step-by-Step Planning and
Implementation of an Urban Water Supply Project Using
ACTIVITY CARDS
CARD 19: TECHNICAL WORKS AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES
Table of Contents
CARD 19 (A): Planning and Implementation of Technical Works ......................................... 2
CARD 19 (B): Planning and Implementation of Technical Works ......................................... 3
CARD 19 (C): Coordination of Technical Works and Sensitisation Activities ........................ 4
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 3
Card 19: Technical Works & Coordination
2
CARD 19 (A): Planning and Implementation of Technical Works
Planning of
Technical
Works:



Construction
Supervision:
On the basis of the findings of the data collection exercise and the results of the
identification of sites for the kiosks, the technical works can be planned and
implemented.
The Task Team should consult the Contractor and/or the Field Monitor on the
planning of the technical works and the progress made and subsequently should
adapt its programme and activities to the technical program.
If the Task Team, or the Service Provider, is responsible for construction supervision,
the technical staff of the Service Provider should prepare a detailed Programme of
Technical Works. This programme should include a construction schedule. This
schedule will allow the Task Team to schedule and plan its sensitisation programme.
 During the construction works, the Task Team should visit the area regularly to
inform the population on the progress made and on the planned works and other
activities. Informing the population can be done during informal discussions with
residents and if necessary during organised public meetings or announcements with
the megaphone (Public Address system).
 If the Task Team, or the Service Provider, is responsible for construction supervision,
regular visits should be made to the construction sites, especially when crucial works
are taking place (mixing of large quantities of cement, when reinforced concrete
structures are made (such as the roof), etc.).
 Technical problems should be recorded carefully in Progress Reports and the
Contractor should be informed if changes are required.
 Experience shows that many Contractors face problems in following the technical
drawings. There are known cases of kiosks within one low income area, having
different dimensions. The Task Team should see to it that the technical works are of
the highest quality.
NB It is important to note that not every member of the Task Team may have the
technical knowhow for supervision. However, the WSP Technical officer/engineer and
the technical Field Monitor have due responsibility to ensure quality of the works.
Tools:


Working with a
Local Team:
The technical drawings presented in Module 6 of the Toolkit, contain a number of
innovations which were designed to make the kiosk user-friendly (for customers and
water Operators), drawings therefore should be followed carefully.
In order to facilitate the technical works, the technical staff of the Service Provider,
the Construction Supervisor and if necessary the Contractor should be given copies
of the drawings (see Module 6).
 In order to assure that residents develop a kind of psychological ownership, it is
important to involve local craftsmen and general (unskilled) workers during the
construction phase. Experience shows that levels of vandalism are considerably
lower if works were carried out by local persons.
 If the kiosks water supply project is carried out with a team of local skilled craftsmen,
recruited in the project area, the Task Team, the technical staff of the Service
Provider or the Contractor, should assure that only experienced and reliable
craftsmen are recruited for specialised works.
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 3
Card 19: Technical Works & Coordination
3
CARD 19 (B): Planning and Implementation of Technical Works
WSTF
Projects:
 If the low income water supply scheme is a WSTF project, the Task Team
should inform the WSTF on a regular basis on the progress made.
 The WSTF procedures regarding quality control and (technical and financial)
reporting should be followed carefully.
 It is important to note that the WSTF Team has both; technical and socioeconomic expertise. This means that during construction activities, advice can
be sought from the WSTF.
 During the visits of the WSTF teams or WSTF representatives, it is important
that the focus is on the technical problems faced. There is no need to paint a
rosy picture, if the Task Team and/or the Service Provider are faced with
serious problems. The WSTF is there to provide advice.
Illegal and Un-Metered Connections in the Area:
 The technical programme does not only consist of the construction of the new kiosks and the
extension of the water supply network.
 Important: A kiosk system can only be successful if illegal connections or existing public stand
posts in the area are disconnected and if existing house connection are metered and if their
users pay according to the meter readings.
 The kiosks should not be commissioned before all connections within the area and in the
surrounding (residential) areas are legal, metered and their owners charged according to meter
readings.
Limited Human Resources: Town after Town, Area after Area?
Financial resources and logistical means are usually limited. This means that the team required for
the successful implementation of the sensitisation programme and the implementation of the kiosk
system, may face difficulties if the Service Provider intends to introduce the kiosk system in several
towns at the same time, or in all low income areas of a large town at the same time. In Ongata
Rongai, the kiosk system was introduced (2007) on an area after area basis i.e. the WSP
constructed kiosks in Ongata Rongai then moved to Ngong. Another argument in favour of the
approach adopted in, is that construction work usually follows the same rhythm while correcting any
technical hitch experienced the previous area.
Commissioning:
The Day


Many of the preparatory activities reach their climax on the day when the
kiosks are commissioned, when the kiosks are opened to the public. The
Chipata in Zambia case shows, that the careful planning of this day can be
crucial to the acceptability and success of the system.
The commissioning of the kiosks requires the input of the whole Task Team,
but also the active participation of the local community and of the members
of area-based organisations.
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 3
Card 19: Technical Works & Coordination
4
CARD 19 (C): Coordination of Technical Works and Sensitisation Activities
Coordination:
In case the water supply infrastructures in the low income areas are not in good
technical condition, and/or if the Service Provider needs to construct additional
structures, it is advisable to carefully coordinate the construction/rehabilitation
programme and the sensitisation and kiosk implementation programmes:


The identification of kiosk sites and the start of the sensitisation
campaign have to precede construction work.
The period of time between (1) the start of the sensitisation campaign, (2)
the commissioning of the kiosks and (3) the implementation of the kiosk
system should not exceed 5 to 8 weeks.
The successful introduction of the kiosk system to a large extent depends upon
Timing and
Synchronisation: the right timing of the various activities and the careful synchronisation of
sensitisation activities, implementation programmes and technical works. If, for
example, a sensitisation programme aiming at introducing and explaining the
kiosk system, is not directly followed or accompanied by the technical
programme, i.e. the actual construction of water kiosks:

Many of the intended beneficiaries will have forgotten the message by
the time the kiosks are commissioned.
 The introduction of the kiosk system is jeopardised and the image of the
Service Provider may suffer as customers lose faith in the capacity of the
provider to keep its promises and live up to expectations. In the eyes of
the beneficiaries, the project becomes yet another “white elephant”.
The recruitment and training of Water Operators has to take place (+-) 2 weeks
before the commissioning of the kiosks.
The main sensitisation programme should start approximately 4 - 5 weeks
before the commissioning of the first kiosks.
The timetable included in the step-by-step implementation programme that has
been prepared by the Task Team, has to be adapted to the technical
implementation programme.
Toolkit for Urban Water Supply Projects
Module 3
Card 19: Technical Works & Coordination