Implementing an effective water project is of great value to the quality of life and health of any community. Easy access to safe water can save time, decrease tensions about scarcity or lack of access and serve as preventative method for water-transferable diseases. Being aware of the need for water, however, is only the first step in the process towards establishing an efficient water system. The transformative impact of a water system in communities and the consideration of local conditions require long-term dedication and knowledge about each individual community. Water is a scarce source and should be managed with care; this article identifies some of the key aspects of water management that should be considered.
The first step, when looking to improve a water system in a community, is to look at the existing condition; to establish the current limitations of the system and the dangers for the health of the community. You will need to find a reliable source of water that is available year round, able to serve the entire community, and ensure the quality of the water. There are several types of water sources, depending on local conditions. Water can be found on the surface (rivers, streams, ponds), and there are underground sources of water that can be tapped and pumped up to wells. When you have to identify a proper water source it is important to consider these factors and the necessary infrastructure needed to bring the water to the community (this might include a storage system to ensure availability during the dry season or an extensive piping system to bring water from the mountain down to the community). Most importantly, the water project should be sustainable over time.
The important role of local conditions requires the active involvement of the local community. The existing tensions relating to climate, hygiene and usage are common knowledge to the families; they can be an important resource in identifying existing issues. On the community side it is important to ensure beneficiaries understand the benefits and proper management of the system. Early involvement with the project will create a sense of ownership, an understanding of the system and ensures proper monitoring that will be necessary after the project is implemented.
The implementation of the project will require a detailed plan on how to manage the system; where to put in the pipes and what materials to use. Measurements should include data on the amount and quality of water but also future considerations of population growth and migration. This phase of the project also includes a financial plan on how to pay for the materials and labor needed during the implementation of the project. There can be several strategies available to the organization; they can rely on outside fundraising and grants, ask the community for contributions (monetary or labor based) and/or implement a loan system in which the initial funds are provided but repaid over time.
After the physical building part of the water project is completed there will be a need to educate the local community about the benefits of the water system and its proper use. Community organization and leadership are required for the success of this phase to ensure the structures are maintained and that there is money available for upkeep and labor costs. Nonprofits often support local involvement based on demand-driven project management in which the community identifies a need and proposes a plan for improvement. Additionally, the NGO might want to integrate an educational component into their project to focus on the importance of hygiene by emphasizing proper hand-washing techniques and by describing possible dangers of drinking unsafe water. Another extension includes the construction of sanitation facilities at schools and public buildings to prevent contamination of the water source, to increase public access and improve the overall health of the community.
An important point to take away from this article is to understand the complexity as well as the urgency of this issue. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize the need for a holistic approach that includes community participation and consideration of local conditions. A water project includes a lot more than the simple drilling of a well or the construction of a piping system. However, once a project is completed the benefits are substantial and have a long lasting effect.
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