This study reports both theoretical and empirical findings on sustainability of rural water supplyrnschemes developed by Rural Community Water Development Organization (COWDO) inrnGuragia Zone, Markanera Maroko Woreda in nine peasant associations.rnDescriptive statistics on major household characteristics (household size, age, sex, marital statusrnand income) and key aspects or checklists of sustainability (bases for water delivery, communityrnparticipation, the role of local institutions in water development and management and institutionalrnsupport and technology) and rural water supply coverage were discussed.rnThe study has shown that sustainable service of rural water supply schemes is achieved whenrnexternal support agents (ESAs) have a package of sustainable community management of thernsystems during implementation and after hand-over of systems developed.rnAs revealed by the study, the implementing local NGDO (Non-government DevelopmentrnOrganization) has managed to address the safe water supply need of about 35% of the totalrnpopulation of the nine peasant associations in its development endeavor. It has also strived tornmake the water supply schemes sustainable through training community technicians of handrnpumps, provision of education on rudiments of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation,rnintroducing cost sharing and cost recovery concept and other soft ware aspects of susta inablernRWSS (Rural Water Supply system). However, there are some issues like lesser womenrnparticipation in the development endeavor, inadequacy in equipping the community-level handrnpump caretakers, capacity building aspects .. etc. which the implementing organization needs torngive due consideration .rnIt is therefore, suggested that, among others, the implementing organization should properlyrnaddress the issue of women's participation in water management, upgrade its support in capacityrnbuilding of loca l institutions, properly equip community-level caretakers .. etc, in order to achievernsustainability of the developed rural water supply systems.rnKey Words and PhrasesrnSustainability, Rural Water Supply, Community Managem