plan 335Water Treatment System for Shyira

Summary

With community support, Manna Energy Limited will build a water treatment system that will provide safe drinking water for almost 8000 residents of Shyira. The system uses local materials to create a water treatment system powered by sunlight and gravity.

Background

In Rwanda the leading causes of death are, in order: HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases. When contracted by a person living with HIV or AIDS, diarrheal diseases significantly raise their chance of dying. Hence, an HIV positive child is 11 times more likely to die if they have diarrhea. Children and adults living in Rwanda often become stricken with diarrheal disease as a result of drinking contaminated water. This project will address these health problems by providing a reliable source of clean drinking water accessible to HIV/AIDS patients and the community at large.

Since the vast majority of the population in rural Rwanda does not have access to clean drinking water, some residents are cutting down biomass or buying firewood on the local market and burning it to boil water. According to a study by the United States Agency for International Development, 50-70% of Rwandans are treating water by boiling which uses firewood. The Republic of Rwanda National Forestry Policy reports that the national forest cover has decreased by 65% since 1960, and the demand for wood is continuing to increase with population growth. As a direct consequence to deforestation and subsequent burning, carbon is being released into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Additionally, poverty is prevalent due to the resources needed to purchase or harvest firewood and because drinking unclean water leads to water-borne diseases that often prevent residents from attending work or school. This project will address these environmental and development challenges by providing an alternative method of sanitizing water that uses solar power, which will result in less deforestation, lower carbon emissions, and resource reallocation toward schooling, employment and nutrition.

Location

Shyira, Nyabihu, Rwanda
Name Status Completion Date Final Cost
Water Treatment System for Shyira in_progress Dec 2011 68,500