Protected Spring
Rehabilitation Project
The 140 community members living in Eshiamboko have two water sources they use regularly, but neither provides clean, reliable water year-round.
Hezborn Spring.
Hezborn Spring is unprotected and at serious risk of contamination. But that is not the only obstacle. There is a lack of access to the spring and overcrowding, causing water collection to take a very long time.
It is difficult to safely enter the spring to collect water, often leading to injuries, especially during the rainy season, when the surrounding area is muddy and slippery. Desperation has driven some community members to try to dig their own hand-dug wells to avoid the water point during the most treacherous months. It is an attempt to find a solution, but it only compounds the issue further.
Elius Mutende, 23, a teacher in the community, shared, "Water is very important to me because I cannot live without it. We use water every single day for drinking, washing dishes and clothes, bathing, and giving water to our animals. It is needed for almost everything we do at home."
Mr. Elius Mutende.
The critical nature of water makes it all the more frustrating for Elius when he can't efficiently collect water and get back to the other important things in his life.
"I am concerned about safety at our current water source because many of us often slip and fall. The path that leads to the spring becomes very wet and muddy, especially after it rains, which makes it dangerous to walk on while carrying heavy water containers," Mr. Mutende said.
Community members carry water home from the spring.
"Long queues, especially during morning hours and evenings, can greatly influence the average time we take at the spring, spanning from 10 to 15 minutes. This is normally caused because people come with many jerricans at once to the spring, making the line go slowly," he continued.
The only alternative for the community is a hand-dug well. But it runs dry for months at a time, faces the same contamination risks, and is laborious to draw water from, requiring people to pull a heavy water jug up from the well.
The spring must be protected so community members can collect clean, safe water quickly and easily; water that keeps them healthy and meets their daily needs.
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.
