|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community involvement at the local level should theoretically allow scarce government resources to be concentrated on the provision of primary and secondary facilities. Whether this will be the case in reality depends on a number of factors, not least the ability of projects like the FAUP to provide support to communities in a cost-effective way. To date, the sewers implemented through the FAUP have required considerable inputs from social organizers, and the aim over the next year will be to reduce the need for such inputs. One way in which it is hoped to achieve this is by providing training to masons and small contractors so that they are better able to install local sewers to an acceptable standard with minimal external supervision. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction Quality and Maintenance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The experience of North-east Lahore suggests that maintenance problems are likely to occur with conventional sewers if the users are not involved in the planning and development process. These problems stem partly from the large amount of solid waste which finds its way into the sewers in the absence of adequate collection services. The problem was initially exacerbated in North-east Lahore by the fact that chamber covers were only 50 mm deep and were therefore fairly light. It was therefore relatively easy to lift them in order to deposit rubbish in the sewers, a practice which has been observed on more than one occasion. As a result of this experience, the cover thickness was increased to 75 mm. The use of interceptor tanks is another way of reducing maintenance problems, but it is not possible to completely 'engineerout' fundamental problems in this way. Experience elsewhere in Pakistan suggests that the quality of government sewerage schemes is often poor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The early experience in Faisalabad suggests that community members take great pains to ensure that the quality of materials and workmanship on schemes which they pay for themselves are good. Preliminary indications are that they will be prepared to carry out any maintenance required, including where necessary the replacement of manhole covers. |
|
|
|
|
|