Water for Those in Need

Started in 2010, the Kolunje Water Supply Project is an effort by the Engineers Without Borders - USA (EWB-USA) Rutgers Chapter in conjunction with its NGO, Endelevu Community Development Services (ECODS), to implement a sustainable system which will provide the community of Kolunje, Kenya with a much needed reliable source of clean drinking water. The community, with a population of 7200, currently gets water from a number of unprotected sources which are prone to carrying life-threatening waterborne diseases.

In 2010 and 2011, work on the project began with two assessment trips to Kolunje to survey the area and determine the best route to meet the community's needs. The project team decided that the best solution was a borehole well located on a site adjoining two schools and a health clinic. The well would be fitted with an electric pump and a storage tank to provide water straight to the schools and health clinic via taps and also to nearby community members. The total target population of the project was estimated to be approximately 1300 people.

After the assessment trips, work continued in the US with design. The team decided that employees were needed to oversee the system and collect money from water sales (the water will be sold at a price set by the community), so a guardhouse was added. To make the system more secure at night, a masonry wall was added.

What the proposed system might look like.

In order to finance such a large project, the team also required fundraising efforts. Grants, donation campaigns, and bake sales, and other events all helped to raise the money the team needed to achieve their goals. Now, after years of work, they have raised enough money to travel to the site and begin construction.

From August 5 to August 24, the nine people of the travel team will be in Kolunje for the first phase of implementation. During this trip, the team will drill the borehole for the well and hold meetings with the community. If all goes as expected, the well will bring enough water for a flow rate 10 gpm. On the other hand, it is possible that the well will be dry and the team will have to resort to other options to continue the project. But, for now, let's be hopeful that this is not the case!

While in Kenya, the travel team will be sending out updates regularly here on this blog, so check back often to see how we're doing. We cannot wait to share the stories of our progress!

Thank you to any and all who helped with or supported our project. Our trip would not have been possible without your contributions!