Pathology of Rural Guidance Projects on Collection and Disposal of Surface Water

One of the strategies developed in the first decade after the Islamic Revolution of Iran with the aim of achieving development in rural areas, is the rural guidance of surface water plan. The project has faced many challenges in the process of preparation and implementation. One of these challenges, is unfavorable changes in texture due to environmental conditions involved in disposal of surface water and vulnerability of the villages against floods. Disposal of surface water in rural areas is done in order to avoid threat of floods. Unfavorable conditions in rural pathways and excessive land use change, have negative impact on hydrology of rural areas. In addition, considering the fact that population in rural areas is limited, the need to build networks for collecting surface water is overshadowed by the very high per capita cost. Therefore, the right choice regarding guidance of surface water in rural areas is necessary for sustainable development, and also to create infrastructure in rural areas. The purpose of this research, is to evaluate rural water guidance projects in management and disposal of surface water. This research is qualitative and practical in nature. In this regard, in order to provide a clear picture of the shortcomings of the rural guidance plan for the disposal of surface water, basic theory and MAX QDA software are used. Based on the findings, the shortcomings of the rural guidance plan for disposal of surface water can be defined in three aspects of definition (description of services), management and execution. According to the interviews that were conducted, the executive problems are mainly caused by mismanagement, inappropriate approaches (description of services), lack of studies on disposal systems of surface water in rural areas and lack of attention to the facilitation and participation of rural people in the process. Therefore, in order to fix the problems ahead, there must be a reconsideration in management approaches and description of services. Also adoption of participatory management practices is essential in this regard.