Ghana Water Project
Location
Derma Health Center, Derma, Ghana
Project Duration
April 20, 2024 - August 30, 2024
Method
Borehole and Water Purification System
Project Goal
Provide reliable access to clean water for the Derma Health Center and the surrounding community of 10,000 residents.
Derma Health Center
The Borehole and Water Purification System project at the Derma Health Center in Ghana addresses the critical need for a reliable clean water source for both the health center and the surrounding community. Acknowledging the project's urgency, WIHA appointed a local entrepreneur from a faith based organization to manage and coordinate the initiative, ensuring seamless collaboration among all stakeholders.
Borehole and Water Purification System
Borehole Drilling and Contruction
A borehole was successfully drilled to access groundwater, providing a reliable source of clean water for the health center and the surrounding community.
Water Storage Tanks
Robust water storage tanks have been installed, built on a solid concrete platform designed to support the substantial weight of the filled tanks. Each tank, when full, weighs approximately 11,000 pounds, necessitating a much more reinforced concrete stand. This infrastructure ensures that the purified water is readily available for use.
Water Treatment Plant
A state-of-the-art two-tonne water purification plant has been implemented to ensure the water is safe for consumption. This system includes all necessary materials for effective water purification, ensuring high-quality drinking water for the community.
Additional Infrastructure
A dedicated equipment room has been constructed to house the purification plant and related machinery. Upgrades to the power supply infrastructure, including cabling and piping, have been made to support the operation of the water system.
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Why Derma Health Center?
Needs Assessment
The Derma Health Center was selected as the focal point for our water project following a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in collaboration with the local chief and health center leadership. The center faced critical challenges due to its dependence on a local village well, which was often contaminated with harmful substances, including dead lizards and birds. As a result, staff had to boil water before use, complicating patient care and exacerbating health risks.
Enhancing Maternal Health Services
The scarcity of clean water significantly hindered maternal care, impacting the ability to maintain proper hygiene for new mothers and their infants. These critical challenges underscored the urgent need for a reliable water source, positioning the Derma Health Center as a key priority for our intervention.
Addressing Community Water Needs
Home to approximately 10,000 residents, the Derma community has long faced difficulties in accessing clean water. Their reliance on contaminated wells and other unreliable sources made the implementation of a borehole and water purification system essential. This project has successfully established a steady supply of safe, clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, significantly enhancing public health and overall quality of life for the community.
Empowering Derma: Sustainable Clean Water Solution
The Borehole and Water Purification System project represents a significant achievement for the Derma Health Center and its community. Through overcoming financial and logistical hurdles, the project has successfully delivered a vital resource that will enhance public health and improve the quality of life for thousands of residents.
Key Achievements
Access to Clean Water for Healthcare
Improved Quality of Life for the Community
Sustainability and Community Engagement
Health and Sanitation Improvements
The Derma Health Center has revolutionized its healthcare services by ensuring a consistent supply of clean, treated water. This crucial resource has significantly improved patient care in several ways:
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Streamlined Medical Procedures: The medical staff can now focus on patient treatment without the time-consuming and potentially risky step of boiling water for sterilization.
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Improved Infant and Maternal Health: Nursing mothers and their infants can benefit from safe, potable water, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and promoting optimal development.
The Derma Health Center has delivered a vital resource to the community: a dependable source of clean water. This transformative project has significantly improved the daily lives of 10,000 residents.
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Safe and Accessible Water: The community members now have access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, eliminating the health risks associated with contaminated sources.
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Goodbye to Contaminated Wells: The project has reduced the reliance on local wells that were previously contaminated with harmful elements, such as dead lizards and birds.
The village elders are taking a proactive approach to ensure the long-term success of the clean water project. By implementing a small fee for water access, the community is demonstrating its commitment to the project's sustainability.
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Cost-Effective Maintenance: The fee will help cover essential maintenance costs, such as replacing water filters and servicing equipment, ensuring the system continues to provide clean water for years to come.
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Strong Community Engagement: The community's active participation in the handover ceremony showcased their gratitude and ownership of the project. This sense of ownership will undoubtedly foster long-term care and stewardship of the system.
The reliable access to clean water provided by the Derma Health Center is expected to have a profound impact on the community's health.
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Reduced Waterborne Diseases: By eliminating the risk of waterborne diseases, we can significantly improve the overall health and well-being of the residents.
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Enhanced Care for Vulnerable Populations: Our health center is now better equipped to care for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to health issues related to water quality.
Borehole Project Inauguration
Challenges Overcome
Initial Budget Constraints:
The project exceeded the original budget due to unforeseen construction requirements, including reinforced water storage platforms and additional cabling and piping for the purification system.
Planning Assumptions:
Early assumptions regarding infrastructure and power availability required adjustments, but these challenges were successfully addressed through additional planning and funding.
Long-Term Impacct
The completion of the water supply project at the Derma Health Center marks a significant milestone in advancing health and well-being for the local community in Ghana. However, the true impact of this initiative hinges on our ability to maintain and sustain the newly built borehole and water purification system. Long-term sustainability is not just a goal; it is a necessity for ensuring that the benefits of clean, accessible water continue to enrich lives. While the installation of robust water infrastructure is a crucial first step, ongoing support is essential to keep the system operational.
By investing in the ongoing maintenance and fostering a sense of community ownership, we can mitigate the challenges that often accompany donor-funded projects. We invite you to contribute to this vital cause. Your support can help ensure that the Derma community has reliable access to clean water, ultimately enhancing their health and resilience.
