Rehabilitation Project
The 350 community members of Enyera have made several attempts to protect their local water source, Omutimba Spring, but without expertise, it inevitably fails, and their water remains contaminated, causing community members to suffer from water-related illnesses.
Arnold (left) waits for a turn with other community members at their spring.
Arnold, 12, is very familiar with the consequences of drinking the water.
"I often get sick because of taking dirty water. I took dirty water and fell sick, and this made me fail exams because I could not concentrate well due to pain, which really discouraged me. When [I] am sick, I don't go to school because of [the] pain I feel, and therefore I cannot concentrate well in class," said Arnold.
Arnold collecting water.
Consuming water that makes him ill and causes him to miss school is not Arnold's only struggle. Regardless of the water quality, it is necessary, so he must collect a certain amount per day for his family to function. Sadly, on average, he spends three hours a day collecting water because the spring is overcrowded, and he often gets pushed to the back of the line.
"We don't have any other water source near, and people are usually so many, so I [have to] wait on the queue for [a] long [time]. Life has become hard on my side. I don't like going for water because of the harassment I usually face there. I feel bad and scared due to the harassment that I usually face at the water point. The elderly usually take advantage of my younger age and push me [to the] back [of] the queue, preventing me [from] fetching water after waiting for [a] long [time]. This happens quite often, especially during [the] dry season when all other springs around are dried, and [this] becomes the only source to feed a very big population," shared Arnold.
Arnold doing laundry.
Arnold is young, but he has many responsibilities in his daily life.
"Fetching water takes a lot of my time, which affects my studies, leading to poor performance," Arnold said.
One responsibility he has had to neglect without enough water is being focused on learning. When we asked him what he would do if he had access to sufficient, safe water, he said, "I would spend most of my time studying so that I improve in my studies."
By protecting the community's spring, Arnold and others will be able to collect water quickly and consume it without fear of how it might affect their health. Hopefully, it will allow him to concentrate more fully on his studies and feel less threatened when he collects 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 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.
