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I think the biggest pitfall or potential mistake for any organisation which attempts to improve people's access to water is the assumption that by constructing an engineered or improved water point, the job is done. That's the easy bit, both financially and technically, and the hardest is yet to come. How will that new water point be managed in future? How will repairs be financed, and by whom? And in answering such "sustainability" questions, how to avoid being taken in by unrealistic assurances about "community management" and water user commitments to fund repairs and maintenance. Have a look at WaterAid's Sustainability Framework to understand more ...