Protected Spring
Rehabilitation Project
For the 210 people of Wambani, collecting water means choosing between an unprotected spring, a nearby stream, and whatever rain can be caught from a neighbor's roof. It has been 12 years since the community had a safe, reliable water source.
The main spring has some protection, but much of its water no longer flows through the outlet pipe. It escapes around the spring box, and the collection area is muddy and overgrown. Community members tried to redirect the water back into the pipe, but it keeps finding its way around. The stream is open to people, animals, and runoff, and it often turns brown after rain, so families mostly use it for washing and cleaning. Rainwater helps during the wet months but disappears in the dry season.
Sixteen-year-old Lorena knows the spring's queues well.
"Fetching water takes a long time, mainly because of long queues at the water point. During peak times, many people arrive at the same time, leading to congestion and slow movement as each person waits for their turn to collect water."
Waiting in line isn't always peaceful, and younger people often lose their place.
"At times, I get pushed to the back of the queue, especially when the water point is crowded. This usually happens during busy hours when many people are waiting for water, and it becomes difficult to keep my place in the queue."
"I feel tired and sometimes stressed when I am sent to fetch water, especially when the queues are long. It also makes me feel worried because it takes time away from my schoolwork and other activities."
The water itself has made Lorena sick, too. She remembered one time when stomach pain and diarrhea left her weak and unable to do her usual activities.
"When I was sick after drinking unsafe water, my parents took me to a health facility for treatment, where I was given medicine. I was also advised to rest and ensure that I always drink clean, safe, and treated water. After following the treatment and using safe water, I recovered."
Every illness costs her time at school.
"Yes, I sometimes miss school when I am sick because I am not able to attend classes or concentrate on my studies. This affects my learning and makes it difficult to keep up with schoolwork."
Even when she's healthy, the queues get in the way of her education.
"Fetching water affects my time at school because I sometimes arrive late or miss lessons when I have to queue for a long time to collect water. It also reduces the time I have for studying and doing homework, which can negatively affect my exam preparation and performance."
Lorena has big plans, and she knows exactly what she would do with the time she spends waiting for water.
"In the future, I plan to work hard in school and complete my education successfully. I hope to achieve good grades so that I can pursue further studies and build a better career. My goal is to improve my life and also be able to support my family and community in the future."
"If I did not have to spend so much time fetching water, I would use that time to study my schoolwork, do my homework properly, and attend school activities. I would also have more time to rest and play, which would help me perform better in school and feel healthier and happier."
Protecting Wambani's spring will send all of its water into the spring box. That means more water flowing, shorter queues, and cleaner water for everyone who relies on it. Community members will also be trained to manage and maintain the spring so it keeps working for years to come.
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.
