The Technological Gap in Monitoring and Evaluation Practices of Water Quality in Aden, Yemen: A Study of Challenges and Implications

Abstract

Effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems constitute the cornerstone of any effort to ensure drinking water safety and public health protection. In a notoriously challenging context such as the city of Aden in Yemen, a lack of technological application in M&E practices would emerge as a primary barrier to achieving sound water governance. This research paper therefore aims to investigate the nature and implications of the non-use of technologically-aided water quality M&E practices in Aden. A qualitative-descriptive approach was adopted to analyze the study data collected by means of in-person interviews with key stakeholders from public authorities (e.g. the Local Corporation for Water and Sanitation, the National Water Resources Authority, and the Environmental Health Department) and private water purification station operators. The findings revealed a near-total absence of digital tools for field data collection (e.g., ODK), a complete reliance on manual paper-based records, limited and unsystematic use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and a lack of interactive dashboards for performance monitoring. This gap leads to data inconsistency, slow incident response, and difficulty in analyzing trends, which significantly weakens the ability of institutions to make informed decisions. The paper concludes that the technological gap is not merely a resource deficit but a symptom of a broader institutional paralysis that impedes public health protection and the sustainable development goals in the water sector.