Underground Reservoir Well

Location:             Mawokota, Mpigi District,Uganda

Project leadtime: 3-4 MONTHS

Requestor:          Richard Bbaale for SOVHEN
                           

Description of the project:

Access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services at Sovhen community based fisherfolk Health Centre (HCIII) is essential for the provision of quality care.
About 15% of all patients develop an infection during their stay at the health care facility. The facility completely relies on rainwater harvesting for its water supply. During dry seasons this water supply system fails, patients must bring their own water making it difficult for the facility to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment. There have been repeated outbreaks of diarrheal deaths due to drinking contaminated lake water. Water scarcity during the dry seasons does not only affect the facility, but the whole community and its neighbors. 

Objectives:

Because electricity is not always available in this rural Uganda, it is important to make sure the community can access clean and safe water even when the power is out. The solution is a Solar Powered- well underground reservoir. This well is fitted with a solar powered pump, two water tanks and a SMART TAP – Water Kiosk purification system for dispensing safe and clean water.

Beneficiaries:

6,863 fishing households (average family size: 5.1) living in a remote rural area with limited resources, about 8 villages.

Budget:   7.692 € (30.000.000 UgSh)

Risks:

To avoid risks:

• This project is managed by an established 8-member local committee to manage and maintain this water facility,
• We have developed our own in-house training course,
• For continued sustainability, a user fee of 100 UgSh per20 L/person/day is charged (not the current infested lake water tariff of 1,000 UgSh) which goes directly back into maintaining the system and supporting future infrastructure.

Attached documents:

Detailed budget and drawings

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Follow-up of the project

Date:                          February 3rd, 2025

Name project:          Underground Reservoir Well

General status:

The Health Centre did have no access to clean and adequate water, as our rainwater supply systems were non-functioning. The Health Centre and its fisherfolk Community members were drawing water from unclean sources like the nearby Lake making it difficult for the facility to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment. There were repeated outbreaks of diarrheal deaths due to drinking this contaminated lake water. This was not only affecting the facility, but the whole community and its neighbors. 

Progress since last status report:

• The Health Centre and its fisherfolk Community members from the immediate catchment area now have access to 12 cubic meter per day of clean and adequate potable water for drinking and for domestic use.
• For continued sustainability, a user fee of 100 UgSh per 20 L/person/day is charged which goes directly back into maintaining the water system and supporting future infrastructure.
• An 8 members local committee will manage and maintain this water facility, including sanitation improvement at the community level (1 hour a week - 4 hours a weekend).

Financial status:

The amount of € 7,692 was sufficient for the full implementation of the project.

Problems/concerns:  

Due to the increase in the number of patients in the health center, thanks to the availability of safe water, there is a need for better latrines with bathrooms and washbasins (the current latrine is closed at night with all its consequences). Costing: 18,000,000 UgSh.

Attached documents (pictures, receipts…):

Receipts, photos

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Images

Clic on the image to see the whole album

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