Water for Kids | Appropriate Technologies, San Plats, Boreholes, Water Tanks

Protecting Spring Sources

In Uganda there are many spring water sources where water collects in pools. The pools are used by animals and many people and soon become muddy and contaminated. The water is collected by wading into the muddy water or sometimes balancing precariously on tree branches over the water. (Children have drowned in this way.)

The original source of water is usually of good quality (we test this). When WfK protects a spring the first action is to divert the runoff so that the community still has access to water during the work. The masons construct a dam with a pipe through it at the correct level for the water to be collected. The pool behind the dam is then dug out down to a solid base, and the ground filled with graded rocks to act as a filter. A plastic sheet goes over the top to protect from animals once the vegetation has regrown.

The finished result is the same water running through a clean pipe, with steps to give access to collect the water safely. The runoff is directed down a channel, as the water runs 24/7. This runoff is used to grow crops, or in one case a fish farm has been built.

The water is tested once work is complete for bacteria and turbidity.

Boreholes

Boreholes are drilled where communities are larger or the water table is low, and in most cases hand pumps installed. WfK uses a hydrologist to determine the best site for the borehole, and a specialist company to drill the bore. India mark 2 handpumps are used as they are durable and spare parts are readily available.

Rehabilitating Broken-down Hand-pumps

As the water table in Zambia is so low, often 60m or more, boreholes with hand pumps are the most common type of water point. Yet many break down and leave communities without water.

Since 2023 we have brought a number of broken down water points back into use by repairing or replacing the hand pump. This is more cost effective than drilling new ones. The Luampa project is a good example.

The Water Engineer at the local council assesses what materials are needed to bring each water point back into use. Once the project is approved, the Water Engineer repairs or replaces each hand pump with the help of Area Pump Menders who are often trained as part of a WfK project. The pump is then tested and a Water Committee is trained to look after the water point into the future.

Solar Distribution System

At big schools or clinics, a hand pump is not enough and, for example, in Naitandhu WfK had already provided 2 boreholes for a school and the community but queues were still very long. So a solar distribution system was installed. This involves installing a submersible solar pump to pump water to a tower with tanks holding 10,000 litres in most cases. Solar panels are installed along with pipework to taps throughout the village and to the school or clinic.

Solar distribution enables handwash stations and wash rooms for older girls to be built at schools.

WASHE Committees

For all projects, large or small, the first action is to set up a Water, Sanitation and Health Education committee with members of the community, preferably 50% are women, unless one already exists. This is the forum for community training in handwashing, better sanitation, and health education. There is often little understanding of the link between poor hygiene and illness, so this is a key step.

The committee will also be trained and be responsible for looking after all facilities once work is complete and ensuring they are maintained. Communities are encouraged to take part in construction work and to contribute materials to build ownership. They will be the link with the WfK team.

Latrines

To reduce open defecation and improve sanitation we encourage households to construct pit latrines. This involves digging a pit and putting a concrete sanplat over the top to allow squatting. A brick enclosure and modesty wall are then built.

In the villages we provide a metal frame for use to make sanplats, and the first load of aggregate and cement. The Ugandan team teach how to make the sanplats, and the community then make more, selling for small contributions which are then used to purchase further materials and create a sustainable project.

In schools, latrines are in blocks and can be in very poor condition. We refurbish or rebuild, employing trusted masons, and include a washroom for older girls to encourage them to remain in school once menstruating.

In schools where work on latrines is funded, we ensure hand washing facilities are available.