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Long-Term Functionality Of Rural Water Services In Developing Countries: A System Dynamics Approach To Understanding The Dynamic Interaction Of Causal Factors, Jeffrey P. Walters, Amy N. Javernick-Will

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Research has shown that sustainability of rural water infrastructure in developing countries is largely affected by the dynamic and systemic interactions of technical, social, financial, institutional, and environmental factors that can lead to premature water system failure. This research employs systems dynamic modeling, which uses feedback mechanisms to understand how these factors interact dynamically to influence long-term rural water system functionality. To do this, the research first identified and aggregated key factors from literature, then asked water sector experts to indicate the polarity and strength between factors through Delphi and cross impact survey questionnaires, and finally used system dynamics modeling …