The Buikwe District has groundwater and surface water resources, but… lack of drinking water. However, the situation will now be discussed in a more nuanced way, as part of the population of this locality, located 76 km from Kampala (Uganda’s capital), now has access to drinking water. This progress is thanks to the Buikwe District Fishing Community Development Programme (BDFCDP), which has just installed small drinking water supply systems for 45,000 people.
The inauguration of the project was celebrated in the fishing village of Nkombwe, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Residents of several villages affected by the community project were present, as well as representatives of BDFCDP partners.
How does it work?
Under the BDFCDP, residents are supported by the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment, Icelandic cooperation, Water Mission, a Christian non-governmental organisation based in North Charleston, South Carolina, USA, and Grundfos, a Danish company that provides pumping systems.
The BDFCDP reaches a total of 39 villages in Buikwe district. In this locality, Grundfos has installed 23 boreholes and solar-powered pumping systems. Treated water is available through Grundfos, vending machines, AQTap, also provided by Grundfos, which operate as service stations.
Automatic drinking water dispenser operating with a smart card©Grundfos
To date, 107 Grundfos AQTap have already been installed in the villages covered by the programme. “With the support of partners, in particular Water Mission, the Embassy of Iceland and Grundfos, Buikwe District is celebrating today’s great success in providing clean drinking water to communities living in fish landing sites,” says Kigongo Mathias, President of Buikwe District. He adds: “More and more children are healthy and going to school. Women and men are becoming more productive and general living conditions are improving every day. On the whole, the programme has brought new optimism to fishing communities, which can now see a promising future.
A model in full expansion
BDFCDP promoters ensure that drinking water is sold to local residents at an “affordable price”, set by local authorities. Grundfos AQTap provides water through a smart card payment system. The user loads his “WaterCard” into the dispenser. It indicates its water quantity on a touch screen located on a distributor that simultaneously activates the pump. The receipts are intended for the water committee set up to ensure the maintenance of the system. These mini drinking water grids have also been installed in several villages on the northern shore of Lake Victoria (Uganda side).
They are also found in several villages in Nakuru and Makueni counties in western and eastern Kenya respectively. In this country, Grundfos has joined forces with World Vision International, a UK-based NGO and the British donor Stone Family Foundation. Together, these actors have signed a public-private partnership (PPP) with local authorities to provide 60 vending machines for drinking water. On this other project, everything is managed in a community way.
Jean Marie Takouleu