TN30. Appropriate technology?

Many of the water projects constructed in developing countries have not performed satisfactorily, or have even failed, soon after commissioning. The failures led to a body of opinion which advocated appropriate technology

(i.e. using plant and designs more suitable for the 18th century rather than those required for today), thus robbing the recipients of many modern advances.

The poor performances of these projects should not have caused surprise as they followed the transfer of modern designs to non-technologically advanced countries with little thought to the staff available locally.

The concept of appropriate technology, however, is wrong as it invariably consists of providing minute quantities of water, which can only continue (albeit slightly better) the beggarly situation of the local population. Cases are even known where supplying a few litres/head per day has caused great problems to the social structure as it does not assist in providing the infrastructure needed to overcome problems such as drought and increasing population.