The success of a project depends on people understanding, accepting and using systems they have chosen themselves. An educational campaign to develop community awareness of water and sanitation problems will increase local participation in developing a project to satisfy the needs of the community. Continuing health education is required to help villagers understand the behavioral changes they must make to receive health benefits from improved water and sanitation systems. Technical training in construction, operation and maintenance will teach selected individuals practical skills and may create an understanding of and respect for the facilities among the rest of the villagers. The development of water and sanitation systems and community involvement in projects will vary according to local circumstances.
Several principles apply to most project situations, however.
The community must identify its own water and sanitation problems. A strong interest in improving existing water supply and sanitation systems must be present in the village. The action agency should assist the village water and sanitation committee to gain legal powers. Governmental support is necessary for legal clearances but the action agency need not be a government agency, though in most situations it is. The community must be willing to accept, to the extent it is able, the responsibilities for funding, developing, operating and maintaining local systems.