Water for Good, in partnership with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy and with funding support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, officially launched its first project in the Amhara Region on November 18, 2025. The Rural Water Service Delivery Feasibility and Design Study was inaugurated in Bahir Dar in the presence of federal, regional, zonal, and woreda officials, along with newly hired coordinators and enumerators.
This launch marks a major milestone for Water for Good, expanding its work beyond Oromia and Sidama into Amhara, a region facing urgent challenges related to rural water system sustainability.
Designing a model for long-term impact
The project aims to design a sustainable and professional rural water service delivery model for Dera and North Mecha Woredas. Once established, the model has strong potential to be replicated in neighboring woredas and across the wider region.
Running through December 2026, the study aligns with Ethiopia’s upcoming Water Policy and the revised Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Regulation. It is expected to lay the groundwork for long-term, reliable water access for more than 500,000 people across Dera, North Mecha, Ferta, and surrounding woredas.
National support and policy alignment
Federal officials reaffirmed the national importance of the project during the launch event. Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Senior Advisor Ato Abera emphasized the strength of Water for Good’s approach:
“The sustainability model implemented by Water for Good Ethiopia is performing well,” he said, adding that the new feasibility and design study “aligns with the upcoming Water Policy and Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Regulation.”
He encouraged regional, zonal, and woreda authorities to actively support and accelerate the study, highlighting its strategic role in strengthening rural water reliability.
Leadership insights and regional scale-up potential
Water for Good leadership also underscored both the urgency and the transformative potential of the project. Berhanu Mekuria, Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability, outlined the organization’s mission and impact, noting that water point functionality under Ethiopia’s Service Provider Group model now exceeds 91 percent.
He explained that once the feasibility study and design are complete, the new model will directly address persistent water point sustainability challenges in Dera and North Mecha, with strong potential for scale-up across the region.
Country Director Musa Meribo reinforced the project’s alignment with national reforms and reiterated Water for Good Ethiopia’s commitment to delivering high-quality outputs on schedule.
Building local capacity through training
Following the launch ceremony, Water for Good conducted a four-day intensive training for six enumerators and three coordinators. The training covered mWater tools, survey methodology, water point inventory procedures, household water service assessments, and field deployment strategies.
During the closing reflection, Enumerator Coordinator Migbarie Mare expressed appreciation for the opportunity:
“We thank Water for Good for creating this opportunity for youth. The four-day training was excellent, and we are fully committed to delivering high-quality data on time.”
Certificates of completion were presented by Ato Mamo, Director of the Water Resource Management Directorate.
Moving from planning to action
With training complete, enumerators have now been deployed to the woredas to begin field data collection. This marks a critical step toward designing a sustainable, professionally managed rural water service delivery model for the region.
Water for Good extends its gratitude to the Ministry of Water and Energy, the Amhara Water and Energy Bureau, zonal and woreda partners, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for their collaboration. By launching its first project in Amhara, Water for Good reaffirms its commitment to expanding reliable water services and supporting communities with the greatest need across Ethiopia.
