15.2.1  Assessing needs

Water source protection should be based on needs identified by the community themselves. The community should identify its own water and sanitation needs through a process of internal discussion and external negotiation. The internal discussion would involve you, other health experts, community leaders and other members of the community. Local people have local knowledge and it is important to draw on this knowledge when planning new developments. The external negotiations may involve local government offices, NGOs and other partners who can assist with the assessment of the communities’ needs with information and technical guidance.