Safe Water Program in Zomba District Enhances Lives through Chlorine Dispensers
Rural Zomba residents praise Safe Water program for chlorine dispensers , writes Mustafa Makumba.
ZOMBA, Malawi-Rural residents in Zomba district have praised the Safe Water programme for its role in improving their lives through the introduction of chlorine dispensers, which are being used to cleanse drinking water, writes Mustafa Makumba.
Implemented by Evidence Action across all traditional authorities in the district, the programme focuses on chlorinating water from boreholes, wells, and other unsafe water sources.
Since its launch in 2013, the programme has provided clean and safe water to over 600,000 people across the Zomba district.
Residents have spoken of the positive impact the programme has had on their lives. Emily Amidu, a widowed mother of six, said that the programme has "rescued" her and her family from cholera and other water-borne diseases.
"This initiative has been tremendously helpful in ensuring that we have clean water in our homes," she said.
"Water from boreholes and wells often contains harmful germs that can negatively impact our health. Chlorination therefore effectively kills these germs, allowing us to consume clean water."
Triphonia Saopa, a 23-year-old mother from the same area, echoed Amidu's sentiments, urging the organisation to extend the programme to other areas to benefit a larger population.
"I used to face numerous challenges related to cholera and diarrhoea in my family due to the consumption of unsafe water from contaminated sources," she said.
"Thanks to the safe water programme, that is now history."
Sanudi Mang'anda, a health surveillance assistant at Domasi Rural Health Centre, shared how the initiative has made a difference in his area.
"Previously, we dealt with numerous cases of water-borne diseases, including cholera, in our area," he said.
"However, since the installation of chlorine dispensers, we have seen a significant decline in cholera cases."
Mang'anda also highlighted the environmental benefits of chlorine dispensers. Previously, many people in his area used firewood to boil water to make it safe, resulting in environmental damage.
But thanks to the dispensers, this practise has been replaced with the use of chlorine, contributing to the preservation of trees.
Chlorine dispensers are installed next to water points, enabling individuals to add a 3-millilitre drop of chlorine liquid to a 20-litre bucket of water.
It is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes before consuming the water to allow the chlorine to thoroughly mix and disinfect.
Evidence Action has successfully installed 3,811 chlorine dispensers across Zomba district, and these installations are monitored by 7,622 promoters in all communities of the district.
The organisation has expanded its efforts to seven additional districts, including Mangochi, Chirazulu, Balaka, Neno, Blantyre, Mwanza, and Machinga, where the installation of chlorine dispensers is currently underway.
Despite encountering setbacks such as equipment vandalism and theft in various areas, the Safe Water programme remains committed to ensuring that underprivileged individuals have access to clean and safe water, thus improving their livelihoods.
Heartening development. The improvements in health should assist in an increase in development.