The Tan Hoa population obtains drinking and washing water from drilled and dug wells. Water from the wells has high sediment levels. In the summer, when dug wells are dry, local residents have to use water from the Nan River for cooking and other activities. Water-borne diseases, such as gynecological, gastrointestinal and skin diseases and trachoma, are common in this area. Only 10% of households have sanitary latrines (septic and semi-septic systems). All of the residents are interested in building partly-subsidized self-contained septic tank latrines. Many people in the Dai Phong Commune hamlets do not have convenient access to sufficient quantities of good quality water for domestic purposes and water related health issues are common in the area. Construction of a new water system directly piped into homes will help address local needs for good quality water in sufficient quantity for drinking, cooking, washing and other domestic uses.
The water system, connected directly to homes, will save beneficiaries time and energy. Adults can invest the extra time and labor into income-generating activities to improve their living standards as well as to pay for their childrenÕs schooling. Children, who are often tasked with the chore of obtaining water, would have more time for their studies and extracurricular activities.
Access to clean water and improved hygiene and sanitation behavior will decrease the incidence of water-borne diseases, such as trachoma, diarrhea, and cholera, and improve overall community and family health, with associated improvement in health-related socioeconomic indicators.
It is anticipated that at least 556 HHs, ie 2,835 people (93.6% of the total commune population), will benefit from the new piped water system.
The beneficiaries have agreed to participate in the project and contribute as much as possible to the construction of the system. As a minimum they will provide the free labour required for digging and backfilling the pipeline trenches. They will also pay the full upfront cost of their house connections. The number of households willing to connect to the system will be determined before the start of the project to ensure sufficient numbers of customers for long-term sustainability. The beneficiaries will pay monthly consumptionÐbased water tariffs to cover operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and potential expansion costs.
¥ Assessment of the needs of local residents for safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene in the project area.
¥ Assessment of the willingness and ability of beneficiaries to pay for both initial investment costs for house connections and monthly consumption-based water tariffs; and, contribution of labor to the construction for digging and backfilling pipeline trenches.
¥ Identification of the highest capacity, best quality and most reliable supply of clean water in the area (water will be obtained from the Nan River).
¥ Water quality testing of the Nan River and certification of the 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 storage tank(s), water tower, river water intake, intake pipe, two pumps, electrical and control systems, water treatment system (as determined by the water quality test results), and the water transmission and distribution systems (about 12,930 m). A water production meter will be installed on the outlet to the main distribution line to help monitor water production and downstream water losses.
¥ Technical and management skills training of Water Managers and the Project Management Board to make sure the proper system maintenance will be undertaken when the EMW involvement ceases.
¥ Carry out a hygiene and sanitation behavioral change program to maximize the community health benefits of the new water supply system. The EMW Hygiene and Sanitation Behavioral Change (HSBC) program will raise awareness, provide training and provide financial incentives to help families build latrines and carry out social marketing activities to encourage people to adopt more effective hygiene and sanitation behaviors. The HSBC program is currently being prepared.
