In Uganda, over 45% of the rural population have no access to clean water and rely on unprotected wells and open water sources, which are often contaminated. In the rural areas of northern Uganda in particular, many households have to purify their water by boiling it with wood fires, which not only causes greenhouse gas emissions but also harbours health risks.

Numerous water points such as hand-pumped boreholes are no longer functional because repairs are too expensive or maintenance programmes are ineffective. This project aims to rehabilitate defective water points in the affected regions and ensure long-term maintenance. This gives communities access to clean, safe drinking water without having to burn wood.

Project goals

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need to purify water by burning wood.
• Rehabilitation of non-functioning water points to provide the population with continuous access to clean water.
• Improving health conditions through safe access to drinking water.
• Strengthening local structures through training in the independent maintenance of water points.
• Engaging the community through educational measures to promote the sustainable use of water.

Technical details

• Rehabilitation of existing but no longer functioning hand-pumped boreholes and other water sources.
• Utilisation of emission-free technologies, such as hand pumps or gravity systems, to pump water.
• Cooperation with community-based organisations (CBOs) and local water authorities to identify and repair defective water points.
• Implement a maintenance programme to ensure quick repairs and empower communities to carry out minor works independently.
• Organisation of annual WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) training sessions to raise awareness of clean water and hygiene measures among the population.

Economic and social benefits

• Time savings: Households spend less time collecting water and firewood.
• Health benefits: Reduction of diseases caused by unclean water.
• Strengthening the local economy: Communities are involved in the maintenance of water points and empowered to take responsibility for their own water sources.
• Social equality: Women and children, who are often responsible for fetching water, benefit in particular from shorter distances and better availability.

Global climate impact

• Avoidance of deforestation: Less need for firewood contributes to the protection of local forests.
• Reduction of CO2 emissions: By eliminating the need to burn wood for water purification, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced.
• Support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  SDG 3 (Health & Wellbeing): 24,561 additional people benefit from clean water.
  SDG 5 (Gender Equality): 60% less time spent fetching water per household.
  SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation): 29,520 additional people gain access to clean water.
  SDG 13 (Climate action): Reduction of 65,145 tCO2e per year.