Clean water for Wagdi Kortu

Initial situation

In the rural community of Wagdi Kortu, in the Chaliya district of the Oromia region in Ethiopia, 62 households with a total of 384 people live without access to clean drinking water. Every day, women and children have to travel long distances to fetch water from unsafe sources. This leads to frequent illnesses caused by contaminated water and exacerbates poverty, as sick days and medical costs place an additional burden on families. The local people have neither the financial resources nor the technical know-how to change this situation on their own.

Project objective

The construction of a sustainable spring catchment will give the residents of Wagdi Kortu safe access to clean water for the first time. The project will improve health, relieve the burden on women and children in particular, and lay the foundation for better hygiene and quality of life.

Measures

• Development and protection of a nearby spring: The spring, located about 1,000 meters away, will be uncovered, cleaned, and fitted with a stable spring catchment.
• Construction of a 4 m³ water tank: This tank will store the collected spring water and allow several people to draw water at the same time. Three taps will be installed and the access area will be paved.
• Washing area: A sink directly next to the tank makes it easier to wash clothes on site and saves time and energy.
• Laying a 1,000-meter-long pipeline: A durable HDPE pipe connects the spring to the tank.
• Fencing: The water point will be fenced off to protect it from animals and unauthorized access.
• Involvement of the village community: Local residents will carry out the earthworks and will be involved in operation and maintenance. A local water commission will be established and trained to ensure sustainability.
• Monitoring: Our experienced partner organization EDA-E will accompany the project and ensure professional implementation and control.

Target group

384 people will benefit from permanent access to clean water. This will help prevent disease, improve living conditions, and strengthen future opportunities, especially for women and children.