Tanzania’s Minister for Water Jumaa Hamidu Aweso, along with a delegation of officials, visited the Makere safe water project to inspect all project components and participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I want to speak from my heart. I have been within the Ministry of Water for seven years and this is the best project I have seen. It should be considered as an example of good work,” said Minister Aweso.
Wearing a Water Mission vest, Minister Aweso shared his praise for the project with residents of Makere attending the ceremony. Photo: Water Mission.
The minister went on to explain his desire for this project to set the standard for other water projects throughout the country.
“Things have been done very well here,” Aweso said.“I want to ask my team from the Ministry of Water to learn the same kind of water treatment system design and implement [those] in other places so that people will have increased access to clean and safe water. The Makere project is like a university: it’s a college for people to come and learn. Please come and learn here.”
Inauguration of Makere Community Solar-Powered Water Project, Western Tanzania. Photo: Water Mission
The global water crisis affects 2 billion people around the world, including many men, women, and children in Tanzania. To bring safe water to those in need we have been working in partnership with the NGO Water Mission in Western Tanzania since 2016 to reach refugees in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp as well as host communities in the area.
Modern technology secures water
This project provides access to safe water to all people in the community and some in the surrounding areas, as well as schools, churches, and a clinic. Due to the type of soil in this region of Africa, locating good groundwater sources is difficult, making this a challenging project. However, with the help of tTEM technology, Water Mission identified a suitable water source and successfully drilled a borehole near the community. This secured a consistent source of water.
Drilling for Makere Community Solar-Powered Water Project, Western Tanzania. Photo: Water Mission
Using a 22Kw Grundfos Renewable Solar Inverter and an SP 46 – 12 pump, water is pumped from the borehole to a treatment enclosure that holds 10 erosion chlorinators. An oversized solar array, which includes nearly 100 panels, allows water to be pumped earlier and later in the day. Treated water is pumped to a 50,000-gallon (200,000-liter) storage tank and then pushed out on demand through approximately nine miles (15 kilometers) of distribution piping to 35 access points across the community.
A pre-paid metered connection in the Makere community center is being piloted, while the other access points use a tap stand operator to track water usage. This is the first time the community has safe, treated water and enough water for everyone.
There is approx. 15km of distribution piping in Makere Community Solar-Powered Water Project, Western Tanzania. Photo: Water Mission
Kizuri kinajiuza: good things sell themselves
Maria, a young mother of three who used to walk three hours a day to fetch water, is thrilled about the project. Her children used to get sick from the contaminated water and her finances were stretched due to the ensuing medical bills. She is grateful for this life-changing gift.
Minister Aweso shared the Swahili proverb “Kizuri kinajiuza…” which means “good things sell themselves; you do not need to advertise them.” He concluded by sharing his faith for an ongoing partnership in the future.
“Water Mission is an important stakeholder who, when you tell them about work, they do it without hesitation.”
Learn more about the work of Water Mission at WaterMission.org.
Residual chlorine testing at Makere Community Solar-Powered Water Project, Western Tanzania. Photo: Water Mission