The Impact of Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene...
The work in Zambia is based on the provision of not only safe water, but also sanitation and hygiene. By providing all three rather than just safe water, a significantly greater impact in terms of reducing diarrheal disease is made.
‣Safe water: provided by drilling wells, repairing wells, and installing biosand filters. Clean water alone reduces diarreah disease by 17%. Which is why the work must be continued with hygeine training and proper sanitation.
•Drilling wells: Drill rigs are used to drill wells that are then equipped with hand pumps. A well can provide water for up to 750 people.
•Repairing wells: There are many wells (drilled by other organizations) that are no longer working because they have not received needed maintenance. By repairing these hand pump wells, BWM & SHIP are able to restore access to safe water for communities without the expense of drilling new wells.
Standard repair cost: $500 - $750
•Biosand filters: Biosand filters are a simple technology that can reduce contamination of water by 97%. In communities with ready access to surface water (which is nearly always highly contaminated), biosand filters can make the water safe to drink. Biosand filters are made by SHIP and installed in individual homes in households.
‣Sanitation: Improving sanitation alone can reduce diarreah by 65%. Demonstration latrines are constructed at training locations, in communities, and in schools. In combination with trainings in communities, these demonstration latrines empower households and communities to construct their own latrines.
‣Hygiene: Community leaders, women, and school teachers receive hygiene training. By focusing on leaders, critical information on hygiene is then disseminated within communities. Examples of hygiene methods include washing hands at critical times, using a drying rack when washing dishes, and constructing garbage pits. By introducing positive hygeine practices you can reduce diarreah diseases by another 17%.
* Data and photos provided by Pamela Crane, Barak Bruerd, and Victor Huckabee of BWM, as well as photos submitted by Tam Faller.
