Watering White Elephants? Lessons from Donor-Funded Planning and Implementation of Rural Water Supplies in Tanzania

Abstract

The book presents five case studies on various donor approaches to the preparation of long-term regional water supply plans in Tanzania and their subsequent implementation (Denmark, Finland, Holland, Sweden and the World Bank). The donor approaches tend to be welfare and control oriented, although to varying degrees. They have been characterized by extensive data collection; detailed pre-implementation planning; none or limited participation of beneficiaries; emphasis on fast implementation of new schemes; and donor bypassing Tanzanian organizations. This has significantly contributed to the non-use of donor-prepared long-term plans, and the non-substainability of donor-financed water schemes.