Rehabilitation Project
The 245 community members of the Mugango Community struggle to collect sufficient water each day to meet their daily needs. Their unprotected Imbo Spring is in poor condition. Water seeps from the spring walls and floors, causing stagnant water that makes the surface slippery, especially during the rainy season. But safely collecting the water is not the only challenge. The water people work so hard to collect is contaminated and, when consumed, is causing people to suffer from water-related illnesses.
Mitchell (right) waits a turn to collect water from the spring that needs protection.
"I have to collect water for our daily house chores. In the evenings after school, I spend a lot of time fetching water. This hinders me from finishing my school assignments in good time and even doing my revision," shared 16-year-old Mitchell, who, like many young girls in Kenya, is responsible for collecting water for her family.
Mitchell described how the current condition of the spring makes the task risky and take longer than it should, wasting time she could use for more important things.
Mitchell at the spring.
"Water access has been difficult and dangerous for some people, especially the young and elderly. Stagnant water at the collection point has allowed for [the] breeding of mosquitos, worms, and parasites. Poor access to the water point and large crowds at the water point, especially during prolonged drought, lead to a lot of time wastage. Water collected is also not safe for drinking," Mitchell said.
We asked Mitchell if she ever faced other hardships while collecting water. She said, "When older people come to fetch water, they usually prioritize themselves; children are forced to wait until they finish. This [is] especially [true] during prolonged drought [periods] when the spring faces congestion. People get to scramble for water."
The spring needs protection. Then, Mitchell and the other community members can quickly collect safe water and have the time and energy to attend to the rest of their lives.
"I would have adequate time to do my school work and even get time to play with my peers. [The] water collected will be clean, not compromising our health. I aspire to get [a] good education and become a better person in the community. Through this, I hope to improve the water standards of my community members and their living conditions," Mitchell concluded.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to safeguard the existing flowing spring.
Spring Protection
Springs are natural water sources that originate from deep underground. As water travels through various layers of the earth, it undergoes a natural filtration process, making it cleaner and safer to drink. To protect these spring sources from contamination, we construct a waterproof cement structure around layers of clay, stone, and soil. This design channels the spring water through a discharge pipe, facilitating easier, faster, and cleaner water collection.
Chlorine Dispenser
As an extra measure towards water quality safety, uniquely engineered chlorine dispensers are installed at all of our spring protection projects so community members can treat their water with pre-measured doses of chlorine. The chlorine treats any residual contamination and stays active for two to three days, ensuring water stays safe to use even when stored at home. Chlorine delivery and maintenance of the dispensers are part of our ongoing community support.
Community Education & Ownership
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.
