IMPROVED BERKAD DESIGNS BY MERCY CORPS - SOMALIA

Transcription

1 IMPROVED BERKAD DESIGNS BY MERCY CORPS - SOMALIA Presentation at OFDA workshop on best-practices in marginal water supplies NAIROBI - KENYA 1) DEKOW HURE- Infrastructure/ WASH manager 2) AFFEY OLOW- Humanitarians Program Manager Date: 11 th October 2017

2 What is a Berkad? Berkads introduced to Somalia in 1950s (Brich, 2008). Commonly used in Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug regions of Somalia. Used to collect water during the rainy season for use in the dry season. Constructed in sloping areas to direct surface runoff to the berkad through trenches

3 Design of traditional berkads Rectangular or Square in shape Length:10 to 13 metres Width: 7 to 9 metres Depth: 3 to 4 metres Materials Walls of rubble stones Floor of stone chippings Roof covered to prevent water evaporation Uncovered Berkad Covered Berkad

4 Limitations of Traditional Berkads Surface runoff routed to the berkads reliant on long feed channels. No barrier mechanism to prevent passage of organic matter, animal or human faeces etc. Deficiencies in the design of traditional berkads result in crosscontamination between people and livestock. Inlet of Berkad Inlet of Berkad Platform for drawing water from Berkad

5 Cont Overflow water can re-enter Berkad leading to pollution of the water source No fencing to separate the area where water is drawn to the area where animals and people drink from.. Most of the berkads are not roofed (see image above) resulting in excessive evaporation which leads to loss of water. Some are covered with shrubs and trees leading to easy contamination **Adopted from Caritas Switzerland, COOPI, OXFAM GB & SCF-UK

6 Challenges associated with Traditional Berkads Berkads easily crack owing to lack of mesh reinforcements on the walls. Suitable wire meshes such as chicken mesh, weld mesh, A65 BRC mesh etc attached firmly to the surface of the walls before application of mortar can eliminate the risk of berkads developing cracks

7 MERCY CORPS BERKAD DESIGN Surface water tank Animal trough Elements in MC berkad design

8 Mercy Corps Improved Berkad Design Unlike the traditional berkads, Mercy Corps design has the following salient features: Sedimentation chamber and graduated concrete steps leading to berkad inlet Trapezoidal sedimentation chamber 1.5 metres deep Filled to 0.5 metres by well graded sand to act as filtration membrane where boulders, debris, silts settles. Further filtration occurs by progression of water through graduated concrete steps. Solid matter that may have not settled is retained and clean water devoid of solid matter enters the Berkad

9 Cont Berkad is divided into human and livestock compartments Water first enters the berkad through the human compartment and overflows to the livestock compartment Solar pumps are fitted to both compartments to deliver water to the animal trough and water kioks for livestock and human consumption Avoiding human and livestock contact with the berkad eliminates contamination of berkad water

10 Cont The surface water tank is situated adjacent to berkad and used during the dry season for water trucking Both berkad and surface water tank are fenced to protect access and to control pollution. Water kiosk is constructed at appropriate distance (15 to 20 metres) away to avoid human contact with the berkad except for repairs. The animal trough is located at a distance of 30 metres to eliminate livestock interaction with water in the berkad.

11 Installation of solar pumps into Berkad Solar pumps are fitted to the berkad compartments to pump water to the surface water tank, animal trough and kiosks; especially at peak demands Solar pumping system fitted to pump water from berkad

12 Fencing of Berkad and surface water tank The berkad and surface water tank are fenced and gated to prevent people and livestock from contaminating water in the berkad and surface water tank.

13 Cont Surface water constructed adjacent to the berkad helps in storing trucked water during the dry season when the berkad dries up. The surface tank is also connected to the water kiosk hence there is no risk contamination of its water. Mercy Corps encourages use of Bucket chlorination and/ or household chlorination using Aqua tabs

14 Water users and estimated demand Average berkad volume ranges between 1000 cubic meters to 1200 cubic metres to cover the 3 month dry period. The targeted livestock are lactating camels, sheep/goats.

15 Any questions? Thank You!