Day 3 - Peri-urban and rural work

The third day saw us travel to the peri-urban community of Batoka in the morning and the rural village of Silimi in the afternoon.

In Batoka, a small town with approximately 2,500 residents, we met staff from the local water utility - Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWSC).  Water utilities were managed by the local authorities until 1999 when they were privatised in an attempt to increase their efficiency.  Solely concerned with providing water and sewerage in urban areas, SWSC has a vision that everyone will one day have access to a water supply 24/7 - and they will all be metered!  However, until recently the company was loss-making and has only recently begun to break even.


The water tank


The Technical Manager explained that there were three main areas of concern in Batoka - the size of the tank holding treated water, the water pressure at the customers' taps and the state of repair of the distribution network.  A new tank and treatment process (simple chlorine dosing) was funded by WaterAid Zambia.  As seen in this picture, the supporting structure is over-sized so that at some point in the future they can increase the capacity of the tank at the top.

Some customers received a metered supply, while others are on a fixed rate tariff.  Those who don't have their own supply are able to collect water from communal taps - often from a water kiosk, where water is paid for in advance.

Interestingly enough, people who don't pay their water bills can be cut off!  Water efficiency is also an important part of the role of the water utility.

Some of the Molenga family with WaterAid supporters
(Roida is the lady in the blue skirt)

We visited the home of Alfred Molenga and his family.  His wife Roida was able to answer our questions about the service they receive from SWSC.  Although they have a tap in their house, because of the poor water pressure they do not use it.  They do have an outdoor tap, but they are only able to obtain water at certain times of the day - from 06.00 to 08.00, 12.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 18.00.  If they require water at other times they have to use a nearby hand pump.  When asked what the benefits of having a good water supply were, Roida told us that: 

1. They don't have to walk long distances to collect water
2. It stops the quarrels that used to break out at the communal water points
3. Their health has improved
4. The children don't have to collect water before going to school and can wash their school uniforms
5. They can grow more vegetables in their garden

The sewage from the house drains to a septic tank in the garden.  SWSC will empty the tank when necessary.

Silimi is a rural village that is in the early stages of intervention and has so far attained 70% sanitation coverage.  This village of 46 households (about 280 residents) appeared to be very proactive and receptive to the work that WaterAid instigated.  Before installing a water point, the village were told they should build latrines, rubbish pits and racks for drying pots and pans.  The work to do this began in August 2011 and the borehole for the water point was sunk on 28 November 2011.


Completing the roof for a latrine

The maintenance committee is an important part of the project.  Training has been given to a number of people to ensure they can maintain the water point themselves by doing things such as greasing and checking nuts and bolts.

In groups we went to help families complete different activities needed to build a latrine - moulding the cement base, digging the pit and building roofs.  Despite the rain, this was a hugely rewarding afternoon, as most of us saw the 'completed item'.  Our group helped finish a 'thatched' roof for a latrine and then lift it into place.  The finishing touch was to tidy up the bottom of the thatch and make sure there were no gaps.