This project proposal involves the construction of 22 rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems for the village of Bakho. People, mostly women and children, fetch water from open wells which takes around 5 hours in the dry season (including queuing). This project will provide safe water "at the doorstep" by implementing 22 rainwater harvesting tanks of 10 m3 each at a household level, to overcome the critical dry season.

More information

Action Aid is a trusted RAIN partner since 2007. Within their target area, the need and relevance for water harvesting is extremely important.

Current state

The project will start as soon as funding is found. When funding is found, the project might start later due to the rainy season, during which construction is complicated.

Context

Bakho is located in the south-east of Senegal and is a hilly and dry area. People live here from small scale agriculture and cattle breeding. Other provisions of water are not not viable or available, so rainwater harvesting is the only option.

The goals of this project are to provide water supply at a household level (10 m3 per household) to at least overcome the dry period, for drinking and other small domestic uses. To give training and awareness sessions on operation, maintenance and management of rainwater harvesting systems to ensure sustainable water supply. To give training and awareness on water quality issues related to the rain water harvesting systems.

The approach within this project is that the responsibility of the project lies with the beneficiaries. In all the project phases, the beneficiaries are leading in taking initiatives, formulating their ideas and making suggestions.The project staff of Action Aid will give advice, adjust and train the beneficiaries to create awareness to manage the project after construction is finalised. A committee will be created to arrange meetings with all beneficiaries and facilitate communication with the project staff.

Women have a leading role in this committee, since they are the ones who are responsible for fetching and managing water. Action Aid will carefully monitor the quality of the work during and after construction, both on technical and social issues concerning the rainwater harvesting tanks. Each household will get a training on hygienic handling of the water as well as on maintenance of the rainwater harvesting tanks.