Rural populations in developing countries face water scarcity and often lack access to clean water for drinking, cooking and washing.

The BridgIT Water Foundation helps connect these communities to safe drinking water and reduce waterborne disease through installing drinking water wells in carefully selected locations. SMEC partners with BridgIT to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes through providing safe drinking water to vulnerable communities.

 

India

 

In April 2019, the SMEC Foundation funded the construction of six borewells in remote villages in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh, India.

 

Detailed surveys identified that these areas were facing major water scarcity issues and that 85% of illnesses were caused by waterborne pathogens. These issues also contribute to ongoing poverty, as individuals were travelling three to four kilometers on foot to collect water from agricultural bore wells and canals.

 

With geological assistance from the Ground Water Department of Kadapa District Headquarters, tube wells fitted with hand pumps were installed in a central location in each village.

 

As a result, 8,723 men, women and children now have access to safe, clean drinking water. Around 4,588 people who used to walk long distances to collect water are now able to spend more time on other activities including income-generating initiatives, which can improve their livelihoods.

 

 

Partner

BridgIT Water Foundation

Location

India & Ethiopia

Expertise
SMEC Foundation
“As there is apt availability of water, my 2 children are taking baths daily. Previously they were taking baths twice a week due to less availability of the water. The need to visit the doctor is decreased. Now they seem healthier. Through this clean water I now have access to many opportunities. I attend my job on time now as I do not worry about the burden of collecting water for my entire family. My children are studying well as now they don’t need to spend their study hours collecting water. We are very grateful to the SMEC Foundation & BridgIT Water Foundation.”
— Godiganuru Village, Mrs. Munemma
“Now we are saved from the need to walk 4 kilometers to fetch domestic water. The drinking water bore-well is in a convenient point in our village. Now I am spending more time in my garment selling business and earning a good income.”
— Mutyampadu Village, Mr. Mallayya

Ethiopia

With support from the SMEC Foundation and the family of the late Alastair McKendrick, a former long serving SMEC Director and Group CFO, who passed away in September 2018, drinking water wells are being constructed in four remote villages in the Somali Region, Ethiopia. These wells will provide 11,000 community members with all year access to safe drinking water.

This project faces unique challenges due to arid agro-climatic conditions, erratic and unreliable rainfall, and poor hydro-geologic conditions. Drought is common in the dry season, with flooding occurring in the wet season. The area is extremely remote (1300km from Addis Ababa, the nearest major center) and only accessible via unpaved roads, making transportation of materials and equipment difficult.

A community-based approach is being implemented, with locals actively participating in the planning, management and monitoring of the construction project. A Water User Committee (WUC) will be established in each village and trained in how to sustain the water resource.