Water System Brings Transformation
Water. There’s nothing quite like a tall cold glass of water on a hot day; except maybe to jump in a crystal clear, clean, cool, refreshing pool. In Canada 99.04% of the population has access to safe water [we acknowledge communities who still do not have access to safe water]. Whether it comes out of our taps at home or is purchased in a store, water is life, and we are privileged to have access to it. However, there are still about 2 billion people who lack access to safe water. That number was about the population of the world just 100 years ago!
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Safe Water Solution
In one community in West Africa, access to safe drinking water came through the installation of a spring box, a solar array, a submersible pump, a 5,000 L storage tank, and a couple of taps along with piping, lots of piping. Prior to the system’s installation, the community had access to unsafe water, but it was about a half hour trek down then back up a steep and treacherous embankment that made it unsafe for children and impossible for the elderly.
Engineers without Borders Denmark in partnership with World Hope International, constructed a spring box catchment system that collects water at the source where it is tested and treated. After treatment and monitoring to know the water is safe for human consumption, it is pumped up the embankment into a storage tank which then flows by gravity to the taps in the community. One hundred fifty people now have access to safe water without risking injury or taking all day to collect enough unsafe water for their needs.
Community Ownership
Every member in the community pays a small, sustainable amount for the maintenance of their water system. The Community Water Management Team ensures that water safety levels are maintained, adequate water levels are available, and any maintenance that needs to be done is carried out.
More Benefits of Clean Water
In this community, now that they have clean water, they are committed to sanitation practices as well. They are working toward every home having access to a latrine, clothes lines to hang clean clothes on, racks to dry and keep clean dishes on, as well as safe areas to store their clean water. Every Wednesday, the community gathers to clean up and make sure that everyone is following their protocols for good sanitation practices.
They no longer need to worry about injuries along the path to get water. They no longer need to worry about water-borne diseases. They no longer need to worry about lacking access to safe water. This village is celebrating and working toward a better tomorrow. They have hope.
“Before when we asked the children to fetch water, they cried. The elderly couldn’t get water for themselves. It was impossible. But this project has helped us with safe water. We thank God that we no longer have to go down that dangerous embankment to fetch unsafe water.”
2 Billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water but every deep-borehole well that is drilled and every creative water solution, like a spring box, that is installed is making an impact that will last for generations.
Consider getting involved by supporting transformational projects like this one with a gift to The Hope Fund.
