The Socio‐Economic Impact of Improved Wells in Rural Sierra Leone

Abstract

The construction of improved wells with the participation of the local communities in rural Sierra Leone is examined. Two chiefdoms were surveyed with four sample villages being examined in depth through questionnaires, interviews, participant observation and quantitative monitoring of water abstraction. Only 36% of the improved wells were operational in the dry season, and these made a modest contribution to water demand in the villages. Half the water consumption was on the remote farms where improved wells played a negligible role. Social and cultural difficulties with the wells were as important as their dry season desiccation in explaining the minimal impact of the well‐digging scheme. Post‐project evaluation by a multi‐disciplinary team could provide invaluable inputs to the planning of an ongoing programme.