This paper considers some examples of current maintenance and examines the cost effectiveness of these methods are used. The need for further research into maintenance technology is identified. Timely and appropriate maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems is necessary to sustain the delivery and removal of excess water. Whilst there is no doubt that there is an important organizational and management dimension to successful maintenance there is also a need to use efficient and effective technological solutions. This paper discusses, with examples, how new and adapted technologies can be used for maintenance in developing countries. Examples of successful technologies and practice in the water sector on other countries along with what works in other sectors, like transportation will be used to determine what the practical research needs are and what can be done at the design stage, or more commonly the modernization stage, to make the best use of maintenance technology