Borehole Well and Hand Pump
Rehabilitation Project
The 300 community members of the Ematetie Community rely on a well installed in 1988. The well has not been properly maintained for several years and frequently breaks down, sometimes for up to months at a time, forcing them to find water in other, more risky locations.
The heavy responsibility of maintaining the well and finding the resources and expertise to fix it when it breaks down has weighed heavily on the community. It's a constant source of worry for those who need reliable, safe water.
The well that needs attention.
When the well is out of operation, people ultimately collect water wherever they can find it.
Community member and 50-year-old farmer Haron Owasia shared his experience.
"Since the water point stopped working, our daily routine has changed significantly. We have to walk longer distances to fetch water, which is physically exhausting and has affected our children's school attendance and our ability to earn a living," said Mr. Owasia.
"I feel frustrated and worried because I know my family will have to spend many hours looking for water. It is stressful knowing that we may not have enough safe water for drinking, cooking, and other household needs," he continued.
"The absence of the well has forced us to walk long distances to fetch water, which takes up alot of time and energy. It has also increased our reliance on unsafe water sources, exposing our families to waterborne diseases," Haron shared.
For most people, this means relying on the local stream. And as Haron indicated, it is a risky endeavor.
"A few months ago, my youngest child developed diarrhea and severe stomach pains after we had been using water from the stream for several days. We took the child to the nearest health facility, where the nurse advised us to always treat our drinking water. The illness resulted in medical expenses and kept the child out of school for several days," he said.
"We normally visit a local dispensary or clinic for treatment whenever someone develops diarrhea or a stomach infection. Although the treatment is effective, paying for consultation, medicine, and transport places a financial burden on our family, especially when illness occurs repeatedly," Haron continued.
"When family members become ill, daily routines are interrupted because someone has to care for them. The illness causes emotional stress, affects school attendance, and increases healthcare costs, making it difficult to meet other household needs," he said.
"It is painful to know that the water we depend on can make our family ill. Every parent wants to provide safe drinking water, but without a reliable source, we are forced to take risks that could have been avoided," he lamented.
Our hope is to repair the community's well so it can be a source of health for Haron and his family in the future, and so he never has to worry again about what he is giving his children to drink.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they agreed to adopt a well previously drilled by another organization that is no longer actively maintained.
Adopted Well: Ensuring Lasting Reliability
This adoption program protects and strengthens access to clean water by identifying boreholes installed by other organizations and adopting them into The Water Project’s proven monitoring and maintenance systems. This cost-effective approach reduces downtime, prevents waterborne illness, safeguards health and livelihoods, and advances long-term regional water coverage.
Before use, the well will be thoroughly vetted and repaired to meet our established standards. From there, we keep the system safe and dependable through quarterly monitoring and prompt attention to any maintenance needs — minimizing the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Water quality testing is conducted twice a year to ensure the supply remains healthy for the entire community. All of these services are covered by an affordable annual fee, with no additional costs at the time of repairs.
Community Education
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
