Low cost water development in Malawi

Safe drinking water and water for irrigation is a major challenge in Malawi. 81 percent of the 15 million people live in rural areas and only 57 percent have access to an improved water source. In urban areas this percentage is even lower! In rural areas many people have to walk 2-8 km daily to fetch water from an often unsafe source. This also means there are no irrigation possibilities. Hence, agricultural production and development is impeded. Even in towns, were people do have access to piped water, most water is not safe and reliable. Hence, the need for water is enormous and low cost water options hardly exist in Malawi because these options are unknown.

Current status

Target group and their involvement:
2 main target groups are:
- households in rural and peri-urban areas will be informed about new low cost water options and a substantial number of them will benefit from promotion activities (like credit lines, discount vouchers, etc). These promotion activities will be designed after more in depth market research has been realized.
- Well diggers, masons, blacksmiths etc. will improve skills and extend their businesses.
Additional target groups (part of social marketing). As part of the demonstration part of the project
- some communities will acquire new boreholes, pumps, water filters and drip irrigation.
- some schools will be helped with water and sanitation.

Outcomes:
- At least 40 new and existing companies (total staff at least 200 persons) will be able to make a living by producing, selling installing low cost water options.
- Access to improved water sources (more water, safe water) will be provided for almost 50.000 persons:
- 9500 people will get access to improved water sources as a direct effect of the project. Beneficiaries do contribute at least 30% with labour costs and/or money.
- 19,000 people will get access to improved water sources as spin off from the project and will buy low cost water options directly from the new companies
- 2,000 school children have access to an improved water source. This is part of the demonstration and social marketing part of the project. 4,000 school children with increased access to an improved water source due to spin offs, by other NGOs that start using and co-investing in low cost options.
- 5,100 people benefit directly from water filters through promotion/discount prices.
- 10.000 people will buy water filters after market supply chain has been developed.

This project has 3 main pillars of activities, but will start with a market/marketing research to know more on the drivers and constraints for consumers to invest in low cost water options. The 3 main activities are:
- A marketing campaign to a) raise awareness on water quality and b) inform people about low cost water options. The marketing focus will be on demand drivers, hence will probably focus on economic advantages, status, etc. and not on health aspects as was done traditionally. CCAP will carry out the fieldwork.

- Developing and training the supply chain for low cost water options, including the establishment of a National Center of Excellence on low cost water options.
- Strengthening the demand side for low cost water options by offering payment options for poor people.

- Almost 50.000 people (16.600 as direct result and 33.000 as a spin off result) will get access to improved water sources .
- The ultimate development objective is to spark the creation of a nationwide sustainable market for low cost water products which will give a sustainable impulse to more economic growth, increased service level, more food security and better health. This sustainable market should serve the water needs of the poor and will enable low cost water producers and retailers to earn a living.

Goals

• 20 new companies will be trained
• 20 retail companies will be supported to sell low-cost water
• Provision of 3.000 water filters(5 beneficiaries per filter)
• 100 improved water sources (wells, boreholes, pumps, etc)
• 100.000 people will receive info on hygiene and water

Financial - cost recovery for operation and maintenance:
The project intends to achieve economic independency on all levels: it aims to create a sustainable market where local entrepreneurs will sell to local people, who by investing in low cost water options, will improve their own income. The return on water investments on household level is estimated as at least 8 to 1!!
In Mzuzu there is an autonomous Water and Sanitation Centre of Excellence (WATSAN CE) at the Mzuzu University. WATSAN CE will need support in the beginning, but will charge fees for services and will try to involve the government to take up responsibilities.
- Institutional - ownership and organizational capacity of target group and support organizations:
WATSAN CE is an independent institute of the University of Mzuzu. This service centre functions on a semi-commercial basis, providing a set of (paid) services to local business people as well as to NGO’s and authorities. WATSAN CE cooperates with the national government to develop policies that facilitate the introduction of low cost water options.
CCAP is the development branch of the Livingstonia Synod and has implemented many development projects in North Malawi. It is an experienced organization with 18 field officers living and working in the project area. CCAP will participate in the implementation of the project, but will not generate a sustainable income with this project.
- Environmental - impact environment on project and vice versa:
The low cost techniques that will be promoted through this project are very basic. Critical environmental problems are not expected.
CCAP works for international donor agencies. This project will not provide income generating activities for these organizations, Hence, they need to acquire new donor contracts to keep their organizations running.
Maintenance is first of all the responsibility of the people that will invest in low cost water options.
- Technical - sustainability of technology choice:
The focus on low cost solutions in practice means a focus on low tech-technology which can easily be taught to and replicated by other companies and persons in Malawi.
- Social - alignment with local social norms:
The self supply approach, by which people invest in their own low cost water solutions is certainly not against social norms. Yet, traditionally people often wait for NGO's or the government to provide solutions for water needs. By informing people on the relative low costs and the high benefits of access to safe water this project aims to bring some change.