Project Status



Project Type:  Dug Well and Hand Pump

Program: Wells for Masindi / Jinga Uganda

Impact: 230 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Dec 2012

Functionality Status:  Low/No Water or Mechanical Breakdown

Last Checkup: 03/06/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

The report below from our partner in the field gives some great information on the construction of a new hand-dug well in the Iranda-Wateso community in Uganda:

The community of Iranda-Wateso is located in Kiryandongo District, Uganda. The great proportion of the local population is engaged in subsistence farming, growing mostly maize to both eat and sell. The Water Trust built a shallow well in Iranda in 2009 and 2011, but has returned at the request of the community to build a third water source. Although the sources constructed by The Water Trust are serving hundreds of people, it is not accessible to everyone. The fact that there is clean water in one section of the community and not in other necessitated action to improve access to clean water in Iranda.

The people in the sub-village Iranda-Wateso, use the water from an open source as they live too far away from a clean well. The water the community uses, is contaminated as feaces easily access the water during the heavy rains.

“This well will mark a big change for our community,” says a woman who is standing next to the construction site. “For generations we have used water from the swamp. We are used to be sick now and then. Of course many people blame bad spirits but I know it is the water we are drinking!”

In the coming months The Water Trust will work together with the community members to improve hygiene and sanitation in every household. The Water Trust works in this village until all households have built their latrine. Clean water, access to a latrine and good hygiene are an integral combination to improve health of people living in rural Uganda.

 

Construction Progress:

November 27, 2012

This week the technician has been transferred to Iranda. For the coming weeks the technician will stay with the community. The community will provide a house and food for the technician.

December 11, 2012

The depth of the well is 9ft. Construction is moving on soundly and the community is participating well.

December 17, 2012

Construction is going well. The community is participating actively and currently the depth of the well is 20 ft. Our Community Development Officer, Irene, visited the community to monitor the construction of latrines. Of the 34 households, 31 housholds have now access to a latrine. A big improvement!

We're just getting started, check back soon!


Project Type

Hand-dug wells have been an important source of water throughout human history! Now, we have so many different types of water sources, but hand-dug wells still have their place. Hand dug wells are not as deep as borehole wells, and work best in areas where there is a ready supply of water just under the surface of the ground, such as next to a mature sand dam. Our artisans dig down through the layers of the ground and then line the hole with bricks, stone, or concrete, which prevent contamination and collapse. Then, back up at surface level, we install a well platform and a hand pump so people can draw up the water easily.