SENEGAL - Water system project

A study was undertaken by Eau Vive in 1998-1999 in the seven regions of Senegal, with the objective of identifying the most disadvantaged areas of the country. It found that the Tambacounda region was the most deprived, especially in terms of local organization and the supply of basic social needs (water, health, education, and food security etc).

This is why Eau Vive has chosen to focus its actions in this region and particularly in the rural community of Bani-Israël where a number of requests for support have already been received following the studies done in the area.

For many years the villages of Bani-Israël, Daka-Doungal, Demba-Koly, Madina-Diakha and Niéry have been confronted with a critical water problem.

The project therefore directly meets the needs expressed by this population. The project is supported by the Rural Council, which has expressed it's willingness to implement the promotion of social and economic development.

The project was designed using the inputs of the villagers and the Rural Council. It therefore results of a large consensus. The needs were clearly expressed and identified as priorities.

Water is a vital need for these people.

The Rural Counsel will participate in a significant way with the cost of the project and will continue, with the follow-up of the project, to finance the new infrastructures.

Construction of a drinking water system

After finishing all of the technical studies (topographic, dimensions of the water network and tower, etc), by a Senegalese consultancy firm, the project plans to:

• construct a water tower
• install a pump system
• install water pipes and public fountains
• set up a Water Management Committee

Civil engineering and plumbing work will be entrusted to a company to be selected following a controlled consultation.

The villages will deal with earthwork: opening of the trenches and embankments.

An independent engineer will carry out the technical control of the work, in order to guarantee the respect of the schedule of conditions and their prompt execution.

Reinforcement of the local capacities

Building a drinking water system must comply with a rigorous process which goes will beyond just the carrying out of work and the installation of equipment.

It involved many actors: the district, the rural community, owners, the villagers, and local organizations and associations.

Eau Vive facilitates the collaboration between all the actors in order to better organize, plan and manage the project.

Eau Vive advises them in the implementation of a management committee adapted to their needs and capacities.

Accordingly, the project will set up a management committee. It will be trained over the course of project and the management tools will be put into place to facilitate the maintenance and the management of the network: payment systems for water, collection and management of funds, contract of maintenance...

The Management Committee will also be in charge of collecting payment for the water, which will cover operations and maintenance costs.

Support and Control of the Work

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