Project Status



Project Type:  Borehole Well and Hand Pump

Program: Wells for Schools - Uganda

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase: 
Community Managed
Implementing Partner Monitoring Data Unavailable
Initial Installation: Jul 2012

Project Features


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Community Profile

Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...

The people of Mutanoga, depend on subsistence farming, mainly producing bananas and herding cattle for their livelihood. When the LWI Uganda team arrived community members were utilizing other methods to collect water located one kilometer away from the community to meet all of their water needs. Because of this, families were left suffering from typhoid, malaria, diarrhea and other preventable water related illnesses. The LWI Uganda team was pleased to hear the community members were utilizing covered latrine pits which will help to prevent further spread of diseases in the area. During the teams’ stay a water committee consisting of seven men and five women assisted the team with the water project. The water committee is also responsible for collecting a maintenance fee of 300 per each student’s term to help sustain the community's water source. In keeping with our Strategic Plan launched in January of 2011, LWI's plan is to train communities to maintain water projects for sustainability. If communities slip back into a situation where they must rely on unimproved water sources, our donors' investment is compromised. To help prevent this occurrence, Living Water International engages communities to help in planning, managing and monitoring of the rural water supply. The nearest primary school is located within the community and now 178 students, teachers, and administrative personnel all have access to safe, clean drinking water. Before leaving the community the LWI Uganda team provided community member Godfrey Kahabura with a LWI contact number in case the project were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft. In an effort to ensure project sustainability, LWI program staff is also responsible for visiting the well site annually.

As part of the 2010-2011, water for school projects the LWI Uganda team came to drill a water project. Unfortunately this school and community is located high on a ridge line. The LWI team made a first attempt close to the school and drilled a very deep and very dry hole. The team returned several weeks later after another survey and tried again lower down the hill but still within range of the school but with the same result. The team opted for the rain tank option as the school has two very large roofs in good condition which is perfect for rain harvesting.

The LWI Uganda team had the opportunity to meet with forty-two year old, teacher, Macrine Tumutungire, who shared her gratitude for receiving fresh, clean water.

During the hygiene education, the LWI Uganda team addresses: Hand washing, how to properly transport and store water, disease transmission and prevention, how to maintain proper care of the pump, as well as signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to make Oral Rehydration Solution. All of these lessons are taught in a participatory method to help community members discover ways to improve their hygiene and sanitation choices, and implement community driven solutions.

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Project Type

Abundant water is often right under our feet! Beneath the Earth’s surface, rivers called aquifers flow through layers of sediment and rock, providing a constant supply of safe water. For borehole wells, we drill deep into the earth, allowing us to access this water which is naturally filtered and protected from sources of contamination at the surface level. First, we decide where to drill by surveying the area and determining where aquifers are likely to sit. To reach the underground water, our drill rigs plunge through meters (sometimes even hundreds of meters!) of soil, silt, rock, and more. Once the drill finds water, we build a well platform and attach a hand pump. If all goes as planned, the community is left with a safe, closed water source providing around five gallons of water per minute! Learn more here!


Sponsors

Jonah Development Corp
The Stephen Colbert Americone Dream Fund
Bridgewater Associates LP