SELF-HELP RURAL WATER SUPPLY

The Rural Water Section (RWS) of the Department of Lands, Valuation and Water will design and implement the five-year program. An anticipated 23 additional piped water systems will be installed in rural areas. Piped water was chosen over other water supply systems as it can conveniently be offered through multiple communal taps. Pipes will be made of asbestos cement and polyvinyl chloride and they will be of simple design in order to avert mechanical failure. Water will originate from contamination-free mountain watersheds. System construction will be on a self-help, community basis. Training programs in construction, operation, and maintenance of the rural piped system will be provided to 100 GOM personnel. In addition, 120 technician field staff will be offered on-the-job training. In order to assure the long-term effectiveness of the project, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will assign university-trained Health Assistants to teach villagers about hygiene and environmental cleanliness, as well as to screen them for water-related diseases and urge them to construct pit latrines. A Public Health Coordinator under the MOH will function as a liaison between the RWS and District Health Inspectors in order to organize health and sanitation education programs in project areas. Seven Peace Corps volunteers will assist in this function. Finally, a Training and Research Unit will be established within the RWS to institutionalize a capability for project monitoring, evaluation, and research. Project is expected to serve approximately 202,000 Malawians or about 10% of the rural population. Prime beneficiaries will be Malawian women who are responsible for obtaining the family"s water for drinking, cooking, and washing.