Constructing Spring Boxes for Village Water Supplies

Central African Republic, L’Église Evangélique Luthérienne de la République Centrafricaine

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (CAR) works together with villagers in western CAR to identify water sources, construct spring boxes, chambers designed to make optimum use of a natural spring, and maintain them after they are constructed. The project, known as “Projet d’Aménagement des Sources d’Eau (PASE)”, ensures that safe physical access to the water is guaranteed in the design and construction of the water points and connecting walkways. Careful consideration is also given to the safe use of the spring for other domestic purposes such as washing clothes.

The project encourages villagers to form a committee to keep the spring box area clean and to make any minor repairs needed after construction. The spring boxes are built to a high standard and well maintained to ensure that they last for several decades.  

The participation and joint work of different ethnic groups in the planning, construction and maintenance of the spring are a project prerequisite.

→ For more details, download the "Good Practice Questionnaire" that was submitted to the UN Independent Expert on human rights obligation related to water and sanitation in 2010.