Simple, low-cost, community owned
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It is depressing to realise that more than 30% of WASH projects fail after two to five years, according to SustainableWASH.org. USAID says: "Over the last 20 years, failed hand pumps in Africa represent a total lost investment of between $1.2 and $1.5 billion."
We believe the most effective solutions are simple, low cost, community led and community owned. This is an approach that puts long-term sustainability and community ownership at its heart. Here are a few examples of simple but effective approaches that can make a difference to people's lives. |
A study undertaken in Bangladesh revealed an 30-40% of rural water systems fail prematurely, and more than half of all subsidized toilets are unused, misused or abandoned. |
Health and hygiene education – because everything starts with understanding the issues and the facts.
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Hand washing with soap – one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce infection.
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Improved sanitation – decent toilets (unlike the examples above) are vital to reducing disease and waste.
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Bio-sand filters – these use layers of sand and a micro-bacterial film to filter 97% of bacteria and 90% of viruses from the water. Brilliant!
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Protection of springs – safely capturing water from a natural source ensures that it is remains clean.
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Improving toilets for girls – lack of safe, clean, private toilets and washing facilities is a big reason why menstruating girls drop out of school.
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Sand dams – like this one, by Excellent Development, can provide clean water for 1,200 people, with indirect benefits for up to 100,000 people.
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Rainwater harvesting – capture water before it washes away to use for drinking, washing or watering crops.
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Bio-latrines – use anaerobic digestion to process human waste, making organic manure that can be used as fertiliser, and methane gas which can be used for lighting and cooking.
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Peepoo bags – in urban slums where most people use 'flying toilets' (defecating into plastic bags and throwing them away). Peepoo bags turn human waste into fertiliser.
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Simple irrigation techniques - such as plastic water bottles pierced with a couple of holes to drip feed seedlings.
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Water sterilisation – using the power of the sun and the ubiquitous plastic bottle again. Simple but effective.
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Picture credits, left to right from top: Drinking clean water in Madhya Pradesh, by Indiawaterportal.org. Kenya classroom, by Mary Bellekom. Washing hands by Ana Cecilia Gonzales-Vigil/World Bank. Broken down toilets, by Mary Bellekom. Biosand filters, by Susie Weldon. Kenyan water spring, by Mary Bellekom. Girls washing hands, by Mary Bellekom. Sand dam in Kenya, by Excellent Development. Rainwater harvesting in Uganda, by Susie Weldon. Biogas digester, by
Susie Weldon. Peepoo bags, by Ashley Wheaton/SuSanA Secretariat. Water irrigation, by Susie Weldon. Water sterilisation, by Mary Bellekom.
Susie Weldon. Peepoo bags, by Ashley Wheaton/SuSanA Secretariat. Water irrigation, by Susie Weldon. Water sterilisation, by Mary Bellekom.
