WVU EWB Uganda Water Supply Assessment Trip

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The EWB-WVU Chapter plans to initiate a project to provide safe water supply for residents in Kabughabugha village and a health clinic in the Kasese District of Uganda.  The village of Kabughabugha, has an estimated population of 7200. There is a water source near the village that is in need of further assessment and testing. The project team has identified several objectives and tasks for the assessment trip in August, 2017.  At least two of the project team member will receive trainings and be CPR and first aid certified prior to the trip and be present with the team during the trip.

The project team will conduct an area survey to characterize topography of the area including the relative elevations and locations of the water source and several locations near and within the village where water storage chambers are being planned for residents.  This will allow design a water supply and conveyance structures later. 

Water tests will be conducted in order to identify existing pollution of concerns. This testing will include basic parameters and those related to fertilizer and untreated sewage contamination such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, nitrate/nitrite, fecal coliforms.  The samplings and analyses are expected to generate results for designing water treatment units that are necessary for providing safe water to the residents and the health clinic. The project will work with village leaders and health clinic personnel and provide training on water sampling, monitoring and analyses for local residents.

Further, the project team will conduct surveys to gather data on community’s capacity to adopt various potential water treatment technologies.  Each water treatment method requires certain level of community capacity (e.g., water use pattern, reliable electric power, professional and skilled labor, supply chain of materials, regulation, etc.).  This task will focus on interacting with community and governmental staff and gathering such data for design of water treatment system(s) suitable for Kabughabugha. 

                All these tasks will directly involve community leaders and residents in a multi-step plan to develop a solution for providing supply of safe water. This assessment trip will not only serve the purpose of technical evaluation of the water source, but will have an overall goal of regaining community interest in the project and using this opportunity to educate Kabughabugha citizens on what type of solutions are feasible. Such activities may include educational sessions on water pollution, testing and treatment.  Furthermore, we want to stress the importance of personal hygiene and water safety to community members of all ages, so that when it is time for implementation of a solution they will be fully behind the idea.

Thank you in advance for you contribution!