WaterCan knows the importance of selecting locally appropriate water supply systems that cater to the unique needs of each community.
Choosing a proper water supply solution is influenced by a wide variety of factors including the size and location of the community, availability of technology and materials, environmental assessments and most importantly, the input of community members.
Nobody knows and understands local water needs better than the children, women and men who have long dealt with a lack of clean water supply. For this reason, appropriate clean water systems are always determined through extensive community consultations that give every community member a voice.
While wells are a common feature of WaterCan projects, other water solutions might include protected springs, rainwater catchment tanks or the expansion of piped water systems in slum areas.
To ensure the long-term sustainability and local ownership of new water supply systems, WaterCan supports only those projects that use low-cost and locally-appropriate technologies. This means that all tools and parts required for maintenance and repair are easily accessible and available through local markets. Furthermore, community members are taught to complete on-going water quality monitoring so to ensure that the new clean water facilities remains a source of health and prosperity for the community for years to come.
Going Beyond Wells by George Yap, WaterCan's Program Director
Banner photo credit: Peter Bregg
