Makuu Community 2

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 200 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Apr 2026

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The Makuu Community has 200 people who need sufficient, safe water. Although they have worked hard to solve their water issues, the current state of their primary water source, Makuu Spring, makes this challenge insurmountable most days. Tensions among community members grow as they feel the frustration of not having the water they need.

"The discharge pipe was fitted too low, making fetching water using a 20-liter jerrican take [too] long while fetching water because the 20-liter jerrican or bucket has to be slanted. The water users have tried to resolve this issue by making sure they mostly use 10-liter containers to fetch water, though this leads to making several trips to the waterpoint," shared Field Officer Mildred Mboha.

Ms. Waluanda.

29-year-old farmer Sarah Waluanda shared her experience of the water crisis.

"Harassment while waiting for water has unfortunately been a reality for me and my family, especially [during] dry seasons where we only receive water from one of the discharge pipes. The cause of such harassment can vary, from disputes over queue positions to confrontations stemming from frustrations over limited water availability," said Sarah.

"Experiencing harassment in these circumstances can evoke feelings of frustration, anger, and helplessness. It's distressing to be subjected to mistreatment while simply trying to access a basic necessity like water," Sarah bravely shared.

The contention isn't surprising as everyone is just trying to meet the needs of their family, and it's a stressful situation for all.

"Quarreling in water queues definitely strains relationships with both neighbors and family members. Tensions are bound to rise quickly when resources are scarce, leading to conflicts that may damage trust and goodwill among those involved. It's important to find peaceful and cooperative solutions to water scarcity issues to maintain positive relationships and foster a sense of community harmony," she shared wisely.

Community members wait for their turn to collect water while others head home.

Safety is a huge concern for Sarah. Not only are community members struggling to gather peacefully, but the water they fight so hard to collect leaves them with long-term effects.

"Safety concerns at the current water source arise due to potential contamination from sugarcane debris and other pollutants. The presence of leaves and other organic matter near the water source can lead to water quality issues, compromising its safety for consumption and other domestic uses. Therefore, ensuring the safety of the current water source is essential to avoid health risks associated with contaminated water, especially in environments where agricultural activities may introduce additional contaminants into the water supply," Sarah continued.

The Makuu Community faces incredible daily challenges to get the water they need.

"Water is my lifeline, flowing through every aspect of my existence. From quenching my thirst to nurturing the crops that sustain me, it's the silent force that underpins my daily life. Beyond mere sustenance, it's a source of comfort and cleanliness," Sarah concluded.

Protecting the spring will give spring will make collecting water easier, faster, and less contentious. The community can begin to heal the breakdowns in their unity while accessing a reliable, safe waterpoint.

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

April, 2026: Makuu Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser is 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!

Ms. Barasa is happy for clean water.

"As a vegetable farmer who makes supplies to schools within the community, the new water source shall be so helpful in ensuring that vegetables are doing well in terms of growth, quality, and volume expansion since water shall be easily available for watering them," said 60-year-old Irene Barasa.

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

Shirleen drinks clean water.

"As a young, ambitious girl, the reliable water has brought me a sigh of relief in various dimensions. Being a firstborn child in a family, a lot is expected from me, both in school and at home, having to balance my house chores and classwork. Unlike before, queueing was quite common at this water point, which was accompanied [by] quarrels and disagreements; this wasted a lot of my time creating a misalignment between my studies and chores. This new water point will result [in] faster and easier collection of water, doing away with time wastage and quarrels. With better time management, I shall be able to concentrate fully in class and map my hard work into better results and hence a better future for my family and myself," shared 14-year-old Shirleen.

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.

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.

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 pipe. The discharge pipe needs 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 pipe without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

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

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.

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 pipe.

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

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 received permission from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially transferred ownership of the waterpoint to the Makuu Community. Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Samuel, Rose, Mildred, and Moraa deployed to the site to lead the event. 21 people attended the training, including 15 women and 6 men.

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.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee, which 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.

Fanuel.

"Water hygiene was the most interesting topic covered under hygiene training. Being a victim of water-related diseases like typhoid, I learned the importance of water treatment so as to never suffer again from such a disease. I also got the concept of water handling, and that water should be properly handled from its source up to storage and consumption time," shared Fanuel Mukabwa, 20.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

February, 2026: Exciting Progress in Makuu Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Sarah and the entire Makuu 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 Makuu Community!

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!