Protected Spring
Rehabilitation Project
For 60-year-old farmer Esther Juma, there's no gap between water and life. "Water matters to me because it sustains life and health for my household," she said. "We use it for drinking, cooking, bathing, and keeping our home clean."
Most of Butali's 250 residents get their water from an unprotected spring. The water looks clear, but the collection area has fallen apart. The floor and stairs are damaged, and the drainage is blocked, so stagnant water collects right where people stand to fill their containers. The ground stays slippery, people fall while fetching water, and the standing water breeds mosquitoes. Children, who often drink straight from the source, are the ones who get sick most often.
The spring is filled with stagnant, mosquito-breeding water.
Esther knows what that costs. "During my illness, I experienced persistent stomach pain, had no appetite, and felt general weakness that limited my daily activities," she said. "I was unable to perform my usual household responsibilities, assist my family with meal preparation, or manage my farm activities."
Every time someone gets sick, her family loses money and time. "The sick person misses work on the farm, which reduces our crop production and income," Esther explained. "I also spend money on treatment and transport to the clinic, which strains our household budget."
Esther washes her laundry, a task impossible without water.
Getting water also takes up much of her day. During last year's drought, "my children and I had to wait up to 4-5 hours for water. The main reasons were overcrowding at the water point because many households were fetching from the same source."
Esther stands in the stagnant water to fill her bucket.
She knows what she'd do with that time back. "I would use that time to take better care of my family. I would also tend to my farm activities more consistently to improve crop yields. The extra time would allow me to rest properly for my health, and I would attend my church activities and community meetings more regularly."
Protecting the spring will change that. Capturing all of its water at a pipe will improve the flow and ease the crowding. A new collection area with proper drainage will get rid of the stagnant water and slippery ground.
As Esther put it: "Drinking unsafe water is dangerous. It causes sickness, suffering, medical costs, and lost time for work and school. Everyone deserves safe, clean water."
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 possible 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 our team's guidance, the community elects a water user committee representative of its diverse members. This committee assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, organizing community efforts, and gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
