- Fernwasserversorgung Elbaue Ostharz — Mentor
- Zweckverband Wasser Abwasser Vogtland — Mentor
LpWSC has identified capacity gaps that affect its performance in service provision. The WOP aims to address these gaps. LpWSC is implementing an infrastructure improvement program to be completed by May 2023. The WOP intends to complement these infrastructure measures by institutional strengthening and capacity-building activities in both technical and managerial areas. Areas of interest are reducing non-revenue water (NRW), operation and maintenance processes, asset management, customer relationship management, and organisational development. Interventions will also focus on wastewater and faecal sludge management, as these are new areas of operation for LpWSC. Therefore, the added benefit of external mentoring is expected to be very high.
Water Production
The focus is on ensuring water quality and availability, particularly through the establishment of a new laboratory and staff training on testing procedures. The project aims to optimize production with proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water treatment facilities. Upcoming steps involve creating Water Safety Plans and reviewing compliance with modern technology standards.
Water Distribution
Improvements are achieved through systematic leakage detection and pressure management to reduce network losses. Procedures for pipe network operation, zone monitoring, and pressure control are key to reducing water losses. This includes maintenance SOPs, burst pipe repair, and water theft detection, all focused on reducing non-revenue water (NRW).
Human Resources Management
This area focuses on capacity building for operations, maintenance, and customer service skills. Training staff in technical skills and customer service while developing leadership helps motivate employees, improve retention, and ensure efficient work processes.
WOP Project Management
Project management involves setting clear objectives and managing challenges related to power supply, staff turnover, and intercultural communication. The goal is to maintain regular progress checks, motivation, and effective communication across the WOP programme.
Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment
The emphasis is on faecal sludge management and wastewater treatment. The project includes establishing quality management manuals and SOPs for laboratory work and improving testing and reporting processes for sanitation systems.
Organization and Strategy
This area covers improving strategic planning for future water supply challenges, streamlining operations, and aligning goals with broader objectives like the SDGs. Leadership is tasked with implementing sustainable practices in asset management, water distribution, and quality control.
Improved Water Production and Quality: LpWSC increased the number of active water connections from 9,000 in 2021 to 20,000 by 2024, improving access to clean water for the community. The quality of water has significantly improved, with 93% of required checks for E.coli being successfully carried out.
Leakage Management: Progress was made in reducing water losses through improved leakage detection and management procedures. While remote work posed some challenges, systematic leak detection was implemented, reducing physical water losses and helping the utility identify commercial losses more effectively.
Wastewater Treatment: LpWSC's new wastewater treatment plant is operational, but only a few households are connected so far. The installation of additional house connections is ongoing, and the facility is now able to process biological treatment stages, contributing to better environmental and public health outcomes.
Capacity Building and Staff Motivation: Regular on-site and online training for staff, especially in the operation of the water treatment plant, was conducted, enhancing the utility's technical capacity. Staff motivation improved, particularly in their understanding of water quality management.
Strengthening Partnerships: The partnership between German mentors and LpWSC has fostered a culture of knowledge exchange, with LpWSC benefiting from best practices in areas such as water quality monitoring, organizational structure improvements, and customer service strategies.
- Staffing Issues: There is a high level of staff turnover, especially at the management level, and some teams are very understaffed, leaving little time to focus on the project’s objectives.
- Technical and Operational Challenges: Issues such as the incomplete construction and operational manuals for wastewater treatment plants, and ongoing challenges with pipe bursts and leakage management, hinder progress. Proper repair strategies and sufficient technical documentation are still needed.
- Communication Difficulties: Regular communication, especially during online meetings, has been challenging due to power outages and unreliable network infrastructure.
- Organizational and Management Constraints: Delays in the establishment of working groups and the introduction of new organizational structures have affected the pace of the project. The unclear division of responsibilities within teams further complicates progress.
- Capacity Building: While initial training sessions have been conducted, there is still a need for continued training and equipping staff with the necessary skills and tools to operate efficiently.