Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Project Phase:  Reserved
Estimated Install Date (?):  2026

Project Features


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Community Profile

The 210 people who live in the Mungakha Community have access to the community's natural spring for their daily water needs. However, due to the spring's poor condition, the water flow is so slow that it unnecessarily consumes people's valuable time, and the water quality is questionable.

The spring is in poor condition.

"Water is very important and is needed for us [to] live well and healthy," shared 52-year-old farmer Leonara Nyawanga.

"My family and I normally go nine times a day to fetch water so that [I] may be able to do all my household chores and use [it]. The water coming out from the discharge pipes is not that much, which makes it have long queues," she continued.

Leonara collecting water.

"The water is not that safe because sometimes it does not look clear, and it gives me [a] hard time to drink it without treating [it]," said Leonara. "We would really be happy if we get chlorine to treat our water we drink, and also, we will be able to collect water much easier and faster with shorter or no queues at all."

Community members collect water.

Leonara would like nothing more than to be able to collect the water her family needs quickly so she can accomplish her other important daily tasks, but that is impossible. As a farmer, she and her family rely on her daily work for their food, and without water, their daily food supply is at risk.

Protecting the spring properly will ensure that water flows efficiently so Leonara can collect the water she needs and still have time to ensure her family's food security.

When asked what she would do when the spring is protected, she said, "I would use my time to do more farming and even improve my maize, banana, and livestock farming."

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.

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Project Photos


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!


Contributors