![]({"m":"/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hero-Sustainability-2.jpg","d":"/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hero-Sustainability-2.jpg"})
Sustainability
A TRANSFORMATION THAT LASTS
Working with communities to create change that lasts for generations
Safe water sources shouldn’t just be built, but they should be built to last. That’s why each Lifewater water source is custom engineered based on the hydrogeology in the community, population size, and locally-available materials.
Through investing in quality construction and the establishment of local solutions for ongoing maintenance and repair, we ensure that communities are well supported for the long-term care of their water sources.
Water Flowing
Safe water sources should be built to last. Every year, we sample a statistically significant number of water points to assess functionality.
These percentages show the percentage of water points with flowing water in 2022. The first sustainability data for Tanzania will be collected in 2023, so keep an eye out for those numbers in 2024!
Creating Lasting Change
Source Local Materials
We source construction materials from local supply chains, so communities have access to materials should anything break on their water source.
Train Local Influencers
Trained in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, local influencers travel to each home, helping their neighbors adopt simple, life-saving health practices and help to maintain these practices over time.
Local Leadership
Respected leaders in the community are invited to become part of a Water Committee. The committee monitors proper use of the water point and collects user fees which are saved for necessary maintenance and repairs.
Community Contribution
Communities contribute to the cost of the water source (up to 15%) through labor, materials, or funds. Afterwards, the Water Committee oversees monthly household payments for future well maintenance and repair.
Monitoring
For five years following project completion, local staff monitor water points and open defecation free maintenance in every country of operation.
Water Works
In 2019, Lifewater launched a maintenance program called Water Works. The Water Works team collects monthly payments from every village, guaranteeing regular maintenance and timely repairs. The program is currently being piloted in two districts in Uganda.
5 Types of Appropriate Water Technology
“The objective is to provide safe drinking water, but there’s a huge variety in the types of situations that we work with. It’s important to have flexibility so we can find what’s appropriate for each location.”
– Jon Viducich, Lifewater WASH Engineer
Lifewater’s approach to safe water access reflects the realities of the places we work: regions with unique natural environments, cultural priorities, and technical challenges.
One size doesn’t fit all. When the water source is built for the community, it can last for generations.
The five types of water sources we construct in Africa and Asia are the following: Hand dug wells, drilled wells, protected springs, rainwater harvesting tanks, rehabilitated wells.
While the types of water sources may vary, the schools and communities we serve share a common reality: access to safe water is essential for people to live, work, and make a way out of poverty.
