23/02/2023
Non-functioning hand pumps mean that people in the community are unable to access safe drinking water. This can force them to rely on unsafe water sources such as rivers, ponds, or unprotected wells, which can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. This is why Beyond Water through the Professionalized Repair and Maintenance project, is working to ensure the functionality and effective maintenance of communal hand pumps by working with District Councils to recruit and provide technical and business skills training to Area Pump Mechanics to provide repair and maintenance services. Beyond Water encourages the water point committees in the area it is working in, to enter into a contract agreement between Beyond Water and water point committees with aim of increasing immediate response when a pump breaks down and keep the level of pump functionality high.
Before the borehole was installed, the villagers of Mtakuzi had to walk long distances to collect water from rivers and streams, which often resulted in water-borne illnesses due to contamination. The installation of the borehole not only improved the health of the villagers, but also freed up time that was previously spent collecting water. This time could be used for other activities such as farming, education, and small business development.
"There was a time when the borehole would break down and we would stay for longer periods more than a week without access to clean and safe water. This meant, we had to go back to our old ways of drinking and using unsafe water; this was a time we were not in any contract with the mechanic and Beyond Water," said Maltilda.
Matilda continues to say; "we then made a decision to enter into a contract agreement with Beyond Water and this has changed everything, because through this contract we get services from the Pump Area Mechanic and we are assured to have access to clean and safe water all times as the pump mechanic and Beyond Water will come in handy when the pump breaks down or/and malfunctions. We are very happy we made this decision."