COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM IN DISTRICT FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

This study examined the relationship between the level of community participation and sustainability of the rural water supply programs in rural areas. A survey was carried out from the heads of the households of two villages, District Faisalabad. A sample of 100 respondents was selected from the households selected through systematic random sampling. The findings of the present study clearly demonstrated that community participation at all stages played a positive role in the ownership and sustainability of the rural water supply programs. Chi-square test was used to check the association between variables and to test the proposed hypothesis. The results supported the hypothesis that community participation was significantly related with sustainability of water supply programs in rural areas of District Faisalabad. The findings of the present study warranted the need for increased community participation in operations and maintenance of water supply programs. It may safely be concluded from the findings of the present study that quality assurance of water supply programs largely depend on community participation and ownership of the projects. The present study recommends that optimal participation of local people should be ensured before launching development projects in any community.