Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 350 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - May 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Project Features


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The 350-person Iyala Community struggles to access sufficient water. Their only water source, Mwiyala Spring, is an open source that provides contaminated water. Water-related illnesses run rampant among people who consume it.

The contaminated spring.

Eleven-year-old Hellen is far too used to getting sick because of the spring water. We asked her how often it happens, and she said, "Every time, and then I get sick because of the unsafe water that I drink."

Hellen.

When Hellen is sick, she misses out on crucial classroom time. Education is already an uphill battle for a young girl in Kenya, so it becomes an almost impossible challenge when she is forced to lose time.

"When I am sick, it forces me to stay home to take medicine for recovery. Missing examinations can cause me to repeat classes due to poor academic performance," Isata shared.

Congestion at the spring.

"I take [a] long [time] fetching water because of the crowd. There are long queues which makes me delay at the spring before drawing water," she continued.

Every single community member is giving up the time needed to earn income, pursue education, and care for their families. That stress causes conflict among them, making the time they spend standing in line even harder.

We asked Hellen if she had ever experienced unkindness while waiting to collect water. She said, "Yes, those who are older than me. Most of them have been unkind to me because [I] am still a child. They insist on the older people drawing water first before allowing any other person to draw water from the waterpoint."

Making the journey to the spring.

Making the Iyala Community spring work for them is the first step towards water security and improved health.

Protecting the spring will give Hellen the chance to live a life unencumbered by constant water-related illness. When she regains her health, she will regain the time and energy she needs so she can chase her dreams.

Hellen.

"My plan for [the] future is to become a doctor and train people about hygiene and sanitation," Hellen 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.

Project Updates


May, 2025: Iyala Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Iyala Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser was installed to provide added protection, and we trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for community members to thrive!

Community women celebrate at the protected spring.

Joseph Khaluma is a community health promoter, and he has been dreaming of how clean water will change their community. He said, "Access to water will help me as a community health promoter have confidence when educating my community members about hygiene. I am sure of the source, and this will help me achieve my monthly targets. My dream is to eradicate typhoid in this village, and this can only be achieved when the water for drinking and general cleanliness is per the way our spring has been made. This will help our children go to school without ill health issues."

Mr. Khaluma.

Children were just as excited as adults about clean water access!

10-year-old Praise already knows what she plans to do with accessible water.

"Reliable water will really improve my life positively. One thing I am now sure of is cleanliness. I have been bathing twice a week because we have been having long queues at the spring, especially in the evenings when everyone is [home] from school and others from their casual labor. This, for a long [time], has made me not [have enough] time to fetch water to bathe in the evenings. Currently, I am a happy girl that I will practice my personal hygiene well."

Praise.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members worked together to source all locally available construction materials for the spring. These included bricks, sand, stones, and fencing poles. Because people have to carry most items by hand, the material-collection process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

When the community was ready, we delivered the remaining construction materials, including cement, plastic tarps, and hardware. Then our construction artisan and field officers deployed to the spring to begin work.

Protecting the Spring: A Step-by-Step Process

First, we excavated the spring area. This includes digging a drainage channel below the spring and several runoff diversion channels above and around the spring to help divert surface contaminants away.

Excavation begins!

To ensure community members could still access water throughout the construction process, we also dug temporary channels around the construction site to allow water to continue to flow. Excavation created space for setting the spring's foundation.

Laying the spring's foundation.

After establishing the base, made of thick plastic, wire, concrete and waterproof cement, we started brickwork to build the spring walls and stairs. Once the walls were tall enough, we began one of the most crucial steps: setting the discharge pipes. The discharge pipes need to be positioned low enough so the water level never rises above the spring's eye yet high enough to allow room for the average collection container (20 liters) to sit beneath the pipes without making contact to prevent cross-contamination.

If we place the pipes too high, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily.

Setting stones on the sides of the spring to prevent erosion.

In coordination with the walls and stairs, we cemented stones on both sides of the spring's drainage channel. These stones discourage people and animals from standing in that area, which could cause soil erosion and a clogged drainage area.

Plastering the walls and stairs.

We then cemented and plastered the spring walls. These finishing layers reinforce the brickwork and prevent water in the reservoir from seeping through. In turn, enough pressure builds to push water out through the discharge pipes.

Setting tiles beneath the discharge pipes to prevent erosion.

As the walls cured, we finished the stairs and installed tiles beneath the discharge pipes. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force.

Filling the reservoir with large, clean stones.

We redirected the temporary diversion channels back into the reservoir box and closed all other exits to force water through only the discharge pipe. We filled the reservoir area with the large, clean stones, arranging them in layers like a well-fitting puzzle. We covered the rocks with thick plastic and piled enough dirt on top to compensate for future settling.

Community members transplanted grass to help prevent erosion, and the collection area was fenced. The fence prevents people or animals from walking in the area above the spring, as compaction of this area can potentially compromise water quality.

The construction process took about two weeks of work and patience. As soon as the spring was ready, people got the okay from their local field officers to fetch water.

The spring is now protected and ready to use!

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Iyala Community.

Facilitator Jemimmah Khasoha depicted the dedication ceremony:

"It was a calm, windy Saturday evening when we arrived at the spring. The moment was graced with the glory from the evening sunset. The harmonious chirping of crickets and birds in the air announced that the day is on its final lap. The local authority representative, the community health practitioner, and both the young and old community members were in attendance with their multicolored water containers ready to fetch water from the newly protected spring. An ex-chief called the gathering to order and commenced the business of the day with a word of prayer, then handed over the program to The Water Project field officer. The field officer began by congratulating the community members for their commitment and unwavering support they gave in ensuring the project was completed without any deterrence. She then requested the community members to own the project and put it to good use for the many generations to come. She finalized by enumerating a list of do's and don'ts, with respect to the waterpoint, and gave the closing prayer. After which, she handed the project over to the community. As a sign of reception, the chairman of the Water User Committee and the ex-chief cut the ribbon; thus, the other members broke into songs of gratitude and praises to The Water Project for the immense milestone they've given, [providing] access to safe and clean water. Women could not hide their joy and dancing moves. Men alike were not left behind."

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training. When the day arrived, facilitators Jemimmah Khasoha and Daniel Mutuku deployed to the site to lead the event. 28 people attended the training, including 16 women and 12 men.

Training in session.

We discussed personal, oral, and environmental hygiene, emphasizing proper water handling, soap-making, and the ten steps of handwashing. We also highlighted the importance of primary health care and covered the operation and maintenance of the water point, as well as leadership and governance. By the end of the training, each participant had a clear understanding of their role in maintaining clean water and promoting good health within their community.

Soapmaking training session.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee who will oversee the maintenance of the spring. We brainstormed income-generating activities and encouraged them to start a group savings account for future minor repairs to the spring.

Facilitator Jemimmah Khasoha said of the event, "It was a very commendable process, probably the best ever. The participants arrived in good time in large numbers and fully participated in the training and discussion session. The interactive session was a great gesture of [a] teachable spirit. This, to me, means readiness to make things change in the community."

Valary.

16-year-old Valary was significantly impacted by the training. She said, "I have always believed that my father and brothers knew nothing about menstrual hygiene. Today, I have been surprised to learn from their immense wealth of knowledge about this topic. Going forward, the stigma of acquiring sanitary pads and handling them, even at home, is done with. I believe that the self-esteem of many women and adolescent girls has been positively impacted."

Thank you for making all of this possible!




March, 2025: Exciting Progress in Iyala Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Hellen and the entire Iyala Community. Construction has begun on the spring protection project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water in the Iyala Community!




Project Photos


Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!


Contributors

1 individual donor(s)