Portable safe drinking water is a challenge for communities living in Nyangombe area in Nyanga District.
Water to drink comes from river, unprotected wells, and dams. When ActionAid International Zimbabwe and their partner Fact Nyanga identified this problem they thought of ways to intervene to reduce the impact of unsafe water on the communities.
Through the Emergencies unit a sand technology was identified that could help these people in the name of bio-sand filter. This technology uses three layers of sand of different sizes to filter the water. Besides the sand particles filtering the water after a number of days the process also relies on a bio-layer that also assists in ensuring that no foreign particles or bacteria passes the sand . The water that comes out of the bio-sand filter is free of any disease causing organisms. If tested it is 97 -99.9 percent pure and can be used safely within communities.
The organisation procured 375 bio-sand filters for distribution in its various operational areas in 2010. Communities in Makoni, Chiendambuya and Nyanga in Manicaland, Nkayi in Matabeleland North and Hwedza in Mashonaland East were beneficiaries of the bio-sand programme. At total of 375 people, 70 percent of which were women, benefitted from the programme.
The objective of the program was to reduce cholera and water borne diseases through provision of clean, safe portable water for household use.
The provision of safe water was therefore done through this innovation which is available locally from our partner one way ministries. Other non benefiting villages have expressed interest after seeing how it works.
