Provision of Clean and Sustainable Water Source for Sambuya Village,The Gambia

Sambuya Village, a rural community located in The Gambia, has long struggled with access to clean and safe water. Residents relied on unkept water wells as their primary source of water, which posed significant health risks due to contamination. The water sources, often unfiltered, were used for essential daily activities such as drinking, cooking, ablution for prayer, and other household chores. This situation created a need for a sustainable solution to provide clean water and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases within the community.

Prior to September 2024, the members of Sambuya Village faced the following challenges:

• Lack of access to clean, filtered water.
• Reliance on unmaintained, often contaminated, wells.
• Difficulty in accessing water, which affected daily routines.

These challenges highlighted the urgent need for a reliable and sustainable water source to improve the quality of life in the village and promote public health.

Project Objective

The primary goal of this project was to provide a clean, sustainable, and accessible water source to Sambuya Village. Specifically, the objectives were to:

• Install a solar-powered borehole to provide an eco-friendly and reliable water source.
• Extend the water supply through taps to four key locations within the community, including the masjid.
• Ensure the water is safe for drinking, cooking, and other essential activities.
• Improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community by reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
• Promote sustainability through the use of solar energy to power the water system.

Project Implementation

In September 2024, the project was successfully implemented, and the following activities were carried out:

• Site Assessment and Planning: A comprehensive assessment of the village’s water needs and potential locations for the borehole was conducted. The placement of taps was strategically planned to ensure accessibility for residents, with a focus on areas of high foot traffic, including the masjid.
• Borehole Drilling and Installation: A solar-powered borehole was drilled at a central location within the village. The borehole was equipped with a solar pump to ensure that the water supply remains sustainable without relying on electric current (Nawec).
• Tap Installation: The water from the borehole was distributed through a network of pipes and taps to four different locations within the village, ensuring that clean water was easily accessible to the residents. One of these taps was specifically placed near the masjid to ensure the community could perform ablution for prayer with clean water.

Outcomes and Impact

• Improved Access to Clean Water: The community now has reliable access to clean and filtered water, eliminating the need to rely on contaminated wells.
• Health Benefits: With the availability of clean water, the risk of waterborne diseases has decreased, contributing to improved health and hygiene standards.
• Convenience: The installation of taps at key locations, including the masjid, has made it easier for residents to access water for daily activities.
• Sustainability: The use of solar power to operate the borehole ensures that the water supply is sustainable and can continue to serve the community without additional costs for energy.

The provision of a clean and sustainable water source to Sambuya Village has brought about significant improvements in the community’s health, daily life, and overall wellbeing. It ensures that residents now have reliable access to safe water.