Low-Cost Groundwater Supplies in Northern Mali: Lessons from Technology Introduction in a Complex Context ( )

Transcription

1 Low-Cost Groundwater Supplies in Northern Mali: Lessons from Technology Introduction in a Complex Context ( ) Michael F. MacCarthy, PhD Assistant Professor Dept. of Environmental Engineering maccarthy_m@mercer.edu School of Engineering Macon, Georgia, USA Abdoul Hamid Abdou Independent Consultant WASH Gao, Mali

2 Overview 1. Context a. northern Mali b. Oxfam GB WASH Activities 2. Technology Introduction a. Testing/Piloting Activities b. Rope Pumps c. Hand Augered Wells Assessment Study a. Rope Pump functionality b. Manual Drilling c. Technology Transfer/Acceptance 4. Conclusions, Next Steps

3 Gao region, Mali Context: Situation Harsh environment (desert extreme heat) Poor populations Relatively short periods between Crises -E.g. - Cricket invasion ruined crops in Drought in Political instability / Unrest (rebel uprising in Kidal Region in 2006.)... Al-Qaeda in the Sahara causing additional problems. Had led to: Semi-permanent post-emergency environment Donors providing short-term funding NGOs stuck in emergency mode Implementing high-cost solutions w/ minimal community participation

4 Oxfam GB WASH Activities in Gao Region, Humanitarian Funding (DEC Funding) - community WASH [entire Gao Region] Transitional Funding (Bruderhof Communities) - school and community WASH [entire Gao Region] * Piloting of low-cost technologies - import of technologies from Niger - discussion w/ target communities, local officials Implementation of Low-Cost Community WASH Project (ECHO, Water and Nutrition call) - implementation of low-cost technologies [1/2 of one circle]

5 Why try low-cost water technologies in Northern Mali 1. Where feasible, very cost-efficient (saves everyone money) 2. Allow for increased participation of local communities 3. Simple technologies, relatively easy to use/maintain/repair 4. Potential for technology transfer from Next Door (Niger) * help make communities more resilient *

6 Pilot Activities, PURPOSE: - Convince various actors of the feasibility of low-cost water technologies in Gao Region - Ourselves - Oxfam GB colleagues - Malian Water Authorities - Donors!

7 Rope Pump

8 ECHO-funded project, Overall Aim: - To decrease the rate of malnutrition in Bamba and Temera municipalities through WASH interventions

9 Field Assessment of Water Point Functionality, August-Sept of 90 Community Water Points (ECHO-funded project) visited Meetings with water point management managers/committees Discussion with other stakeholders (community members, technicians) Physical inspection of Rope Pumps and boreholes

10 Field Assessment Results

11 Results

12 Rope Pump

13 Gao region, Mali Context: Situation Harsh environment (desert extreme heat) Poor populations Relatively short periods between Crises -E.g. - Cricket invasion ruined crops in Drought in Political instability / Unrest (rebel uprising in Kidal Region in 2006.)... Al-Qaeda in the Sahara causing additional problems. Had led to: Semi-permanent post-emergency environment Donors providing short-term funding NGOs stuck in emergency mode Implementing high-cost solutions w/ minimal community participation

14 Context Update: 2008-present Gao region, Mali Situation Increased Insecurity, directly affecting Oxfam GB team Oxfam GB vehicle hijacked in Gao Region Break-in at Oxfam GB office in Gao 2 long-time staff members killed Political and security situation continued to deteriorate 2011: Oxfam GB in Gao suspends activities, leaves Gao Tuareg rebel uprising in northern Mali 2012 Presidential coup northern Mali under control of Tuareg rebels and other groups, for a time.. Humanitarian crisis Regular bombings (including suicide bombings) in various parts of Gao region Populations in flux (including in Bamba, Temera) project beneficiaries leave there homes/communities, at times for weeks, months...

15 Rope Pump Functionality Results - 62 percent were operational (16 out of 26). (This percentage is inline with avg for India Mark II pumps in northern Mali, according to 2012 Mali WASH cluster study) - majority of non-functional pumps were easily repairable - reported reasons for non-repair: - Cost (59%) - Mechanical Issues, Lack of technical means (34%) - Insufficient water in well (7%) - many pumps reported to have been abandoned during crisis - displacement of populations (including water authorities, pump technicians) - community management, repair of pumps (some vandalized) not a priority for communities during crisis - numerous villages with non-functional pumps had benefitted from new water point(s) close by during the crisis (Menaka example)

16 Drilling Other Results - Inspection of all wells with pumps showed adequate water levels - Main technician group trained in manual drilling continues activities in Gao, as of Sept 2015 (2 nd trained group merged with them after first year) - Evidence of private manually drilled wells in Bamba and Temera Rope Pump Manufacturing - Manufacturer trained in Gao continues to repair pumps and make spare parts (He does not, however, regularly make new Rope Pumps) - New Rope Pumps (for other projects, private customers) brought from southern Mali National Level - Oxfam GB and WinRock supported training of Rope Pump manufacturer in southern Mali - the Rope Pump is now on the list of community pumps accepted by the Malian national water authorities (DNH) - former Gao regional water official promoting manual drilling in other parts of Mali

17 Preliminary Conclusions Despite complex humanitarian situation over past several years, majority of Rope Pumps are still functional Various actors (beneficiairies, NGO community, Malian water officials) convinced of value of low-cost water technologies for use in community water supply sector in Mali Some successes with initial technology transfer Further Steps Further analysis of collected data, discuss options with local actors to support Desk study of low-cost water technology implementation in other insecure environments (e.g. Chad, South Sudan) Explore the potential role for low-cost water technologies in Self-Supply in Gao region, and possibilities for training / capacity building

18 Acknowledgments Ibrahim Mamadou and Jon Naugle (formerly of EnterpriseWorks, now with Water4) Dr. Kerstin Danert, RWSN Oxfam GB ECHO Bruderhof Communities in the UK National Water Ministry, Mali Study Participants

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