A solar-powered gravity water supply scheme

Malawi, Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD)

CARD Malawi, a member of ACT Alliance, addresses both water for food security and safe drinking water in their project, using a solar-powered gravity water supply scheme. Deep boreholes are drilled and water is pumped from them into raised tanks using solar power. This practice draws attention to the fact that water is a crucial prerequisite not only for the realization of the human right to water and sanitation but also for the human right to food. The project demonstrates a successful attempt at addressing both concerns at the same time, while having the added benefit of using a renewable source of energy.

The programme employs a right based approach and emphasizes the inclusion of marginalised groups.  For example, mechanisms are put in place involving the communities to come up with written bye-laws on how they will enable the elderly, orphans, chronically ill and people with disabilities to access to free water.

The project itself stands as proof of how communities can hold their own local government institutions accountable for improving water and sanitation services. The community now has four functioning and safe water system each with 25–30 water points. This has reduced time spent by women and children collecting water, reduced congestion at water points, providing more than 36 litres per person per day, and increasing access for all in the area. The taps are designed so that they can be used and accessible to children, older people and people with disabilities. The water is being tested periodically by experts from the Government Water Department.

→ 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.