Report: Safe water system at Thach Hoa

As of July 30, 2009, 615 households were connected to the new piped water system.

The completed water system has improved the community health and decreased the number of water-borne diseases in the project area. The residents now have access to potable water which will be sufficient for their daily consumption in the dry season. They are no longer worried about polluted water and no longer have to travel long distances to collect water. Time will be saved which the children can use to study and play and the adults can focus on generating additional income and spending time with their families.
¥ Assessment of local residentsÕ need for safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene in the project area.
¥ Assessment of the beneficiariesÕ willingness and ability to pay for both initial investments cost for house connections (about US$12-18 per household) and monthly consumption-based water tariffs, and contribution of labor to the construction as digging and backfilling pipeline trenches.
¥ Identification of the highest capacity, best quality and most reliable supply of clean water in the area (in this case, a river will serve as water source).
¥ Water quality testing of proposed sources, and certification of the selected source as fit for drinking before commencement of design and construction.
¥ Holding consultation meetings with potential beneficiary groups and the local authorities in order to allow everyone to voice their concerns and opinions about the proposed project, as well as to share local knowledge and experience about hygiene and clean water usage.
¥ The following standard activities will be carried out: Design and construction of the water tower, a river water intake, two pumps, piping, electrical and control systems, a water treatment system (depending upon the water quality test results), and water transmission and distribution system about 20,061 m in length. A water production meter will be installed on the outlet to the main distribution line to help monitor production and downstream water losses.
¥ Providing training to Water Managers and Project Management Board on technical and management skills to make sure the proper maintenance will be provided to the system when EMW phase out.
¥ Carry out a hygiene and sanitation behavioral change program, in order to maximize the community health benefits of the new water system.

The local residents and local authorities were very aware of the need for clean water in the beneficiary hamlets in the Thach Hoa Commune, therefore implementation of the project was strongly supported by the community.

Some households in the project area did not understand the advantages of clean water so they did not believe that the project should be implemented or that it would be sustainable in the future. The digging and backfilling of the main pipeline faced many difficulties due to the mountenaous terrain and limestone substrate.