Professionalising water management - Bhutan

Several research studies have suggested that rural water supply management by community volunteers or informal groups—while indicative of community resilience and water stewardship—is often ineffective in sustaining and delivering quality service. In this learning brief, SNV and UTS-ISF argue that appropriate skills training, formalisation, and support from national and local governments are not only key to sustaining services but are often missing components in water investment projects. Based on applied research and partnerships with multiple stakeholders in Bhutan, this learning brief presents several steps that the Government of Bhutan (and other governments) can consider to maximise the benefits of water project investments.

SNV. (2025). "Professionalising rural water management in Bhutan: Steps for supporting sustainable water services," SNV Learning Brief. SNV.

University of Technology Sydney – Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF) and the Government of Australia's Water for Women Fund

Visit SNV's Bhutan project page or contact us.