Water supply

Well construction and spring tapping

Clean water for tenthousands of people in Africa

Many schools, rural health posts, entire villages and countless people lack sufficient clean drinking water. The WaterFoundation therefore initiates numerous smaller and larger spring development projects, walling and concreting the place where the spring water comes to the surface, drilling or digging wells, building water tanks and installing pipelines to transport the drinking water. Where water pipes cannot (yet) be laid, the WaterFoundation distributes donkeys, which take over the transport of water.

Costs: affordable and effective

The costs for a source capture system with pipes, water containers and taps amount to around 3,000 to 5,000 euros. A total of 180,000 euros has been spent on this by 2021.

The situation on the ground: long walks and dirty water holes

Usually, there are no rivers, streams or water sources in the village itself that could be used for water supply. So the inhabitants – mostly women and girls – have to make long daily walks to distant water points and then carry the heavy filled canisters back to the village.

The problem is not only the physical strain on the carriers and the fact that many children are unable to attend school as a result. As a rule, the water is also not of drinking quality. This is because animals and humans often use the same water sources. Severe health impairments and illnesses are often the result.

The aim of the projects: clean and sufficient water, better hygiene

The WaterFoundation wants to achieve with its projects that people in their villages can supply themselves with clean water in sufficient quantities, not only for drinking, cooking and washing, but also for hygienic care, so that diseases are avoided. To do this, the water supply must be optimized and stabilized.

How is a spring captured?

Starting conditions: fetching polluted water at open water places

Children have to carry the water over long distances

Helping hands for excevation works

The spring is captured and capped

Waterpipes have to cover long distances

Water tapping points help to prevent disease

Separate wash places for better hygiene

Separate through for cattle

Water committees ensure the sustainable operation of the facilities

Once the facilities have been constructed, which can take between two to three months of planning and working time, a water committee is set up to monitor and ensure the functionality and use of the facilities in the interests of sustainability. The work of the WaterFoundation has led to the fact that since 2009, 17,000 people and 14,000 head of cattle in around 40 settlements have already been reliably supplied with drinking water through these smaller spring tapping projects alone.

“I really wanted to have clean water near my house. I am not educated and don’t know how to say it. But I prepared food for the construction workers several times just to show my desire for clean water. Now I have the water and I am happy.”

Shitu aus Godda Walliyye (Ethiopia)

The WaterFoundation’s spring developments and hand wells supply people in these villages in Ethiopia, among others:

Weyra, Kirite, Zeer, Gochamba, Gimbichu, Gimbaro, Mintirbo, Bati Futo, Yetobon Sefer, Burqa Walmara, Goyaben, bude Kessa, Yeteborn Tale, Ilamu Ibano, Dirre Naddo, Ingoyye Jurael, Kaso Wassarbi, Gashwett/Jor, Shola, Gedenfo Litt Went, Gofa Debr, Laga Baroda, Sendek Wenz, Kechinee Wenz, Laga Qiiltuu, Hargu Burqqa, Lag Bala Warqe, Heeto Tiyya, Chaffe, Burqqa Jalissi, Lalistu Bila, Birbe, Harussa, Mumme, Dorii, Harojji 4, Rogge, Dorii Schule