Talamuti Community

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 490 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Sep 2024

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The 490 people of Talamuti Community struggle to access sufficient water. The water they can collect from their local unprotected spring leaves them with water-related illnesses that cost them their time, health, and financial resources that they can not afford to lose.

"Most of the community members wake up very early in the morning, especially the women. They will first look for water before doing anything else," said field officer Adelaide Nasimiyu when describing the daily water crisis the community members face.

"They believe that the water fetched in the morning is pure for drinking, and there's no need to be treated," concluded Adelaide.

We know from the number of people dealing with waterborne illnesses in the community that the spring does not offer clean water any time of the day, even if its looks are deceiving. Sadly, without any other reliable water source, people must use what they collect regardless of the consequences.

"Fetching water from this water point, especially during the rainy season, is very difficult. Sometimes, when the rains are too heavy, the runoff water gets mixed with the spring water. This makes the water dirty. When you're in a hurry, you have to fetch the water just as it is or wait until it clears before drawing," said 43-year-old farmer Judith Misanya (shown above).

She continued, "The water is open to contamination. It is not treated before drinking, [so] we fall sick. I remember my son being admitted to the hospital because of typhoid. That's where I learned that treating water was more important than assuming that the water is safe for drinking."

Not only is the water collected from the spring risky to drink, but collecting it is not easy.

People must stand in ankle-deep water and submerge their collection containers under a makeshift, broken plastic pipe to collect water. It is a time-consuming task that leads to long lines and leaves everyone with little time for anything else.

"Fetching water from this water point is not easy. Sometimes, you are in a hurry, but you find the improvised discharge pipe missing. This forces you to either look for another alternative discharge pipe or go back home, get a jug, [and] then come to draw the water. This wastes alot of my time. I don't get enough time to study nor play," said 13-year-old Alfred (shown above).

The protection of the spring will enable Judith, Alfred, and other community members to access clean, sufficient water efficiently so they still have time for other important daily tasks. And hopefully, regular water access will empower them to imagine a brighter future.

The Proposed Solution, Determined Together...

At The Water Project, everyone has a part in conversations and solutions. We operate in transparency, believing it benefits everyone. We expect reliability from one another as well as our water solutions. Everyone involved makes this possible through hard work and dedication.

In a joint discovery process, community members determine their most advantageous water solution alongside our technical experts. Read more specifics about this solution on the What We're Building tab of this project page. Then, community members lend their support by collecting needed construction materials (sometimes for months ahead of time!), providing labor alongside our artisans, sheltering and feeding the builders, and supplying additional resources.

Water Access for Everyone

This water project is one piece in a large puzzle. In Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, we're working toward complete coverage of reliable, maintained water sources that guarantee public access now and in the future within a 30-minute round trip for each community, household, school, and health center. One day, we hope to report that this has been achieved!

Training on Health, Hygiene & More

With the community's input, we've identified topics where training will increase positive health outcomes at personal, household, and community levels. We'll coordinate with them to find the best training date. Some examples of what we train communities on are:

Improved hygiene, health, and sanitation habits
Safe water handling, storage & treatment
Disease prevention and proper handwashing
Income-generation
Community leadership, governance, & election of a water committee
Operation and maintenance of the water point

Chlorine Dispensers

Installing chlorine dispensers is an important piece of our spring protection projects. Protecting a spring provides community members with an improved water source, but it doesn’t prevent contamination once the water is collected and stored. For example, if the water is clean and the container is dirty, the water will become contaminated.

We ensure that each chlorine dispenser is filled with diluted chlorine on a consistent schedule so that people can add pre-measured drops to each container of water they collect. That way, community members can feel even more confident in the quality of their water.

Project Updates

September, 2024: Talamuti Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Talamuti 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!

"This new waterpoint will help me get income by using the water to irrigate my farm during [the] dry season where l have planted vegetables and some indigenous crops that l sell. l will have easy access, and fetching water will not be a problem; also, getting sick [from] water-related illnesses will be minimal," said 43-year-old farmer Judith Misanya, the new treasurer of the water user committee.

Judith collecting water.

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

Concepta.

"It will improve things for me because l will be able to give my academics the time required. It will impact my learning at school, in that my performance will improve because l will have more time to read, [and] l will not queue at the waterpoint," said Concepta, 15.

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.

Community members contribute construction materials to the project.

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 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.

Building the 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.

Community members pray for the ongoing work.

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.

Planting grass above the catchment area.

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.

Celebrating the completed spring.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Talamuti Community. 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 Joyce Naliaka, Mercy Odongo, Elvine Atsieno, Faith Muthama, and Joan Tirop deployed to the site to lead the event. 21 people attended the training, including 17 women and four 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.

Learning proper handwashing techniques.

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.

Learning how to properly take care of the spring and using chlorine.

"The most interesting topic we covered in the hygiene training was personal hygiene. It was an eye-opener. We learned new things," shared Mwanaisha Bakari, a 52-year-old village elder and farmer.

Mwanaisha Bakari practices proper handwashing.

"I feel hopeful for this community because they have a willing heart to learn and to implement the new things they have learned. Also, the vigor they have [for] taking care of the spring is impressive," said Field Officer Faith Muthama.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

August, 2024: Talamuti Community Spring Protection Underway!

The lack of adequate water in the Talamuti Community costs people time, energy, and health every single day. Clean water scarcity contributes to community instability and diminishes individuals’ personal progress.

But thanks to your recent generosity, things will soon improve here. We are now working to install a reliable water point and improve hygiene standards. We look forward to sharing inspiring news in the near future!

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!

Talamuti Community

Project Status

Community Profile

Community Profile

Report Submitted by
Adelaide Nasimiyu, Training Officer