Chembe Water Project... Providing Safe Drinking Water to Lakeside Communities

1 billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water...

Health:
Traditionally the lake has served as the only water source for people living along the shore in fishing villages. Because of overpopulation and lack of adequate sanitation, the lake waters have become contaminated, especially along the shore line, where local communitites draw water. As a result, there is a high incidence of preventable water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, which leads to both morbidity and mortality in local communitites, especially in children under five years of age. The proximity to the lake in these communitites make wells and bore-holes unsafe as well because of the high water tables during the raining season, leading to contamination of deep-drilled water sources.

Achievements:

Technology:
The Chembe Water Project uses pumps to pull water out of the lake from 150 meters. The water is first sent through a particle filter to remove any debris and sediment. Next, the water passes through a state-of-the-art ultra-violet treatment system to eliminate any disease-causing bacteria, viruses or microorganisms. The water is stored in major tanks throughout the village which then supply community taps with a consistent flow of water.

Future:
With the funding the project receives, the project will continue to expand its services in order to bring clean water to lakeside communities, schools and public centers in an effort to promote healthy living and prevent water-borne illnesses.

2006 - Chembe Water Project placed 7 water-taps throughout Chembe Village in April of 2006. These taps deliver clean water to the village daily, and provide the entire village of Chembe with safe-drinking water.

2008 - 20 more taps were installed at the far end of the village where Chembe is most densely populated and doubled the number of people with access to safe drinking water in the area.

2010 - 7 more taps and a pressure pump were added to Phase One of the project

Today - the 34 taps provide drinking water to over 12,000 people