Why technology alone is not enough Part 2 – Special series from EWB

Part 1: Society Notes - May 2006

Part 2:
I’m in the village of Tandoo in northern Ghana to measure the depth of their hand-dug well and its current water level. Thankfully, there is a small amount of life-giving water in this well – the water level is 3 feet deep in a well with a diameter of roughly 3.5 feet – despite it being the dry season.

The data I collect will be used in the installation of a simple direct-action hand-pump, so that the people of this community will be better able to access the water. Furthermore, the sealed concrete cover slab that the pump will sit atop will help the villagers keep the well water free of debris or other contaminants. This means they will be able to fetch water in a more sanitary manner than the standard technique: simply dropping a rope and bucket into an open well.

The benefits of this cover slab are further revealed after speaking to some of the community members. I discover that they have had a problem with outsiders throwing rocks into the well – they blame itinerant cattle herders, and are anxious to get the cover slab in place to keep their well clean.

While the technology will certainly help to provide the basis for a safe source of drinking water, it’s still important to remember that there is another potential problem: unsafe fetching habits and water use.

These social elements of hygiene education are an integral part of this water and sanitation project. Clean water from a well or borehole will not have a significant impact on the health of the community if it becomes contaminated after exiting the water source. For instance, if the water is handled by people who have not washed their hands, or if the water point itself is contaminated by runoff from an improperly placed latrine, the benefits of the clean water source are nullified. That’s why this project includes a significant hygiene training component.

In response, Water and Sanitation teams are formed in each community, and are given training in hygiene and sanitation. They then disseminate this information to the community, and monitor to make sure it’s being followed, observing factors like frequency of hand washing, cleanliness of the water point (e.g. is it swept daily?), and cleanliness of latrines.

Still, it’s difficult to encourage people to change their behaviour, especially when dealing with a topic as abstract as the contamination chain. Imagine if you had no background in biology and you were told that many of your community’s illnesses were being caused by invisible things that can get into your water if you don’t handle it properly. This news would definitely be difficult to believe.

But this knowledge is essential; the technology to keep water clean simply is not enough. Technology, therefore, must be paired with a diligent focus on the more social aspects of water collection in order for meaningful change to occur.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a registered Canadian charity that helps people in developing communities gain access to basic engineering technologies that can reduce poverty, hunger and disease. Visit EWB’s website at www.ewb.ca to learn more.

Want to help support the work of EWB and enjoy a fun day of golf?
Join us for the OSPE Classic - 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday July 6, 2006 in support of Engineers Without Borders.

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