Safe Water

Imagine walking several miles every day to collect water in a 5 gallon container, and then carry that 40 pound container back to your home. In poor rural areas of Uganda, there is limited or no access to tapped water or even safe water from a lake or stream. Most available water is contaminated with animal and human waste and contains waterborne diseases.

Safe water is critical to all activities of CSRL. Improved food production, health, nutrition and sanitation would not be possible without reliable access to safe water. Over the past several years, CSRL has invested in efforts to enhance access to safe water resulting in positive impacts on school children, their families and communities. Because of the safe water, communities are becoming more productive. Instead of spending several hours everyday fetching water, they are able to tend their fields, engage in income generating activities, and care for their families.

Iowa State University, Makerere University, VEDCO and local community members have collaborated to make safe water a reality. In 2006 and 2007, CSRL and its partners were able to provide safe drinking water to hundreds of people in rural communities and for primary school children through the construction of 6 boreholes in Kamuli District.

Boreholes are deep wells that have pumps for extracting water. These sources of safe water take approximately one week to construct at a cost of about US$10,000, and last for decades.

In order to maintain the boreholes, each community forms a water committee that is responsible for collecting money for its maintenance and any necessary repairs, and may also regulate its use. Each community member has a stake and responsibility for the borehole.

CSRL Program Activities 2007

Objectives:
  1. Increase access to safe drinking water at primary schools and in communities
  2. Strengthen capabilities of school staff and community members to sustainably manage and repair/replace parts as necessary
  3. Improve hygiene and sanitation

Approach:
  1. In-depth discussions with school staff and community members
  2. Coordinate planning with district-level water engineer and private drilling company
  3. Establish and train community-based water management committees
  4. Drill boreholes and hand them over to community members
  5. Promote construction of pit latrines

Resources:
  • Primary — VEDCO staff, district-level water engineer, private drilling company
  • Secondary — school staff and community member, Kamuli District Department of Social Services

Activities:
  • 2006 — Construction of 3 boreholes (deep wells) at/near Namasagali primary school
  • 2007 — Construction of 3 boreholes (deep wells) at/near Nakanyonyi primary school

Outcomes:
  • 2006 — 40% food secure, 22% moderately food insecure, 38% extremely food insecure
  • 2007 — Improved access to safe water by 700+ pupils and 900 households based on continuous operation of 3 boreholes at/near Nakanyonyi and Bwiiza primary schools in addition to those operating at/near Namasagali primary school

Lessons Learned:
  1. Great interest by local community residents and district officials in boreholes
  2. Borehole construction is linked to increased latrine coverage
  3. Significant local capability for managing boreholes at schools and in communities

Challenges & Questions:
  1. Developing low cost rain-water collection systems for safe drinking water
  2. Securing funding for other water-related projects (e.g., drip irrigation)
  3. Potential interference by politicians interested in locating boreholes in their areas

In order for CSRL to continue to help Ugandans access safe drinking water, we need support from people like you! If you are interested in contributing your time and talents, please contact the Center to learn how, or consider making a gift today.