Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with Western Water And Sanitation Forum. Our team is pleased to directly share the report below (edited for clarity, as needed).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This unprotected spring is located in Khumikoche village, Ebutsymi sub-location, Ebutsymi location, Mwivona Ward of Luanda Sub County within Vihiga County. The spring serves 100 households with a total population of 600 people out of which 280 are Men and 320 are women. The water is used of drinking, cooking, watering animals, and irrigation on the farms.
(Editor's Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)
Justification
This water spring is unprotected thus it is open to contamination by surface run off and animal/human activities around the water source.
Due to the high population, after constant drawing of water it becomes contaminated and the beneficiaries have to wait for some time until it clears again before fetching again. This leads to loss of time that would otherwise be used to undertake other economic activities.
Animals are also watered directly from the water source thus contaminating it further by stepping in and also relieving themselves in the water.
The community members reported that they have suffered from many cases of water borne diseases like typhoid, diarrhea, bilharzia, and amoeba as a result of drinking the unprotected water.
Sanitation in the community is also wanting and many households have latrines that are in poor condition while others have none. Open defecation is rampant and this has led to further contamination of the spring when it rains, leading to more outbreaks of water borne diseases.
Poor water handling and poor hygiene practices were evident with women carrying water that was uncovered for long distances. Hand washing facilities near the toilets were also minimal implying that washing hands after toilet use is not done.
This community is in dire need of support by The Water Project to protect the spring and build sanitation facilities. After they approached WEWASAFO, the WASH team conducted baseline survey and approved the spring for protection. The community is also willing to avail the required local materials.
Results of the project:
Spring protection
Protection of Wabukhi spring is complete and now in use.
The water is used of drinking, cooking, watering animals and irrigation on the farms. The water from the source is no longer open to contamination by surface run off, animal and human activities. Initially, due to the high population and constant drawing of water, the beneficiaries had to wait for some time until it cleared before fetching again. This led to loss of time that would otherwise be used to undertake other economical activities. But now, the community members no longer waste their precious time at the spring.
Cases of water borne diseases like typhoid, diarrhea, bilharzia and amoeba will greatly decrease since the water they are drawing from the spring now is safe for human consumption.
Water handling was a challenge to the community initially, but after getting proper training from the WEWASAFO WASH team, water handling is no longer a big issue to them.
Household sanitation platforms
Sanitation platforms (cement slabs for building latrines) for beneficiaries around the spring have been cast, installed, and are now in use by the community members. Five vulnerable members of the community that lack toilets received sanitation platforms.
