AID AND DEVELOPMENT
Background
The provision of secure and safe water supplies is perhaps the single, most important, means of improving the livelihoods of communities. Ready access to a reliable supply of good quality water ensures health and wellbeing of populations and allows more time for community enhancement.
Hafren Water provides support and advice to aid and development organisations on water-related issues for development projects. Our clear focus is derived from experience of working in the highly regulated structure within the EU, the development of pragmatic and appropriate technical solutions and an understanding of the framework within which development work operates. This unique combination of benefits ensures that work undertaken by Hafren Water is highly targeted, cost-effective and appropriate.
Hafren Water has demonstrated that specialist, technical input, at an appropriate time in the lifecycle of a programme, can improve significantly the outcomes, sustainability and effectiveness of water supply projects.
Approach
In the great majority of cases the success of development programmes is dependent upon their sustainability. This is defined not only in terms of water resources but also in the establishment of appropriate management teams with access to relevant technical support and finance.
The skills and knowledge to undertake this type of work are rarely available in a single organisation. However, the very wide range of contacts of Hafren Water dictate that we can tap into the roots of UK learning and resources.
An essential component of our work is the transfer of technologies and experience at an appropriate pace and level. The majority of our work is undertaken in close co-operation with partner NGOs, the intention being to facilitate change and development, rather than impose it in isolation. Such an approach consistently secures long-lasting and tangible benefits and is more effective than highly technical but inappropriate interventions.
Scope of work
- Strategic assessments of water resources
- Determination of the available water resource which can be exploited sustainably is fundamental to the planning and implementation of an effective water development programme. Considerations of population increase, geology, rainfall, run-off and demand change with time; all need to be considered by appropriately qualified personnel. The absence of such an assessment may render programmes non-sustainable in the medium or long-term.
- Technical audits of programme
- Assessment of on-going development projects can be extremely beneficial in ensuring that they perform optimally and that any possible difficulties are identified prior to the onset of disruption to beneficiaries. Targeted inputs, undertaken in close-collaboration with partner NGOs, can be highly effective and lead to significant and rapid increases in technical capacity.
- Groundwater development
- The planning of development programmes includes consideration of the available resource, extant conditions and the various water supply options. For example, hand-dug wells, drilled boreholes, rainwater harvesting and surface water impoundment may all have their place in a water supply scheme. Careful consideration of the pros and cons of each option, whilst also considering the level of technical support available for implementation, operation, maintenance and long-term management, all need to be factored into programmes. Hafren Water has a considerable wealth of experience in these areas. The knowledge of the company in both the EU and developing world means that practices from a wide variety of settings can be considered and the most appropriate approach proposed on a case by case basis.
- Training and capacity building
- Training associated with practical considerations of field investigation, waterwell testing, data collation and management, determination of available resources, together with project planning can all be undertaken by Hafren Water. The transfer of data by the delivery of targeted, highly practical workshops, supported by appropriate documents and guidance, is a highly cost-effective means of capacity building.
Projects and Experience
A broad range of work has been undertaken by Hafren Water in widely varying geographical settings: representative examples are given below.
Western Darfur, Sudan
Assessment of water resources at IDP camps
Hafren Water was contracted to assess the groundwater resources at four refugee and IDP settlements in the Beida locality of Western Darfur.
The assessment was based on data obtained from various sources including Tearfund, the British Geological Survey, Cranfield University, Reading University, the Geological Society of London, Practical Action and a 20-day field visit to the four localities. The susceptibility of the settlements to water shortage was assessed and recommendations made for ensuring the security of water supplies in the future.
Rift Valley, Ethiopia
Assessment of large gravity sourced spring water supply
A technical assessment was made of a large, spring-fed water supply system in the Arsi Region of Ethiopia. The source supplies water to more than 75, 000 people and had been in operation for more than 10 years. The assessment examined the rate of increase of usage, sustainability of the water source and maintenance of the distribution system. Recommendations were made for monitoring and possible demand management.
Burkina Faso
Assessment of water resource management interventions of partner NGOs
The water resource management components of the work of four Burkinabe NGOs were assessed against project objectives. Technical assessments were made of borehole installations, rainwater harvesting programmes and surface water impoundment. Site visits were made to all the projects and meetings held with water users, technical teams of the NGOs and government. Elements were identified within the programmes where improvements could be made to sustainability and refinement of further interventions.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Training workshop on Integrated Water Resource Management
A workshop on integrated water resource management was prepared and delivered to representatives of 12 countries for one of the largest UK based charities working in the water and sanitation sectors. The content of the workshop was based on a needs assessment completed by participants prior to the workshop.
The workshop included overarching principles of resource assessment and management and investigated what could reasonably be achieved by an NGO. The limits of remit of NGOs and their relationship with government and other organisations were explored in detail. The workshop concluded with the preparation of country-specific water resource management policies, taking into account physical, political and practical considerations. Hafren Water is currently engaged in the implementation of these policies in four countries in West Africa.
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Prognosis for waterwell installation
Hafren Water provided advice concerning the feasibility of waterwell installation in the north of the city of Kandahar. The waterwell was to be an interim measure prior to the establishment of a larger wellfield located in more favourable hydrogeological conditions several kilometres to the north of the city. Geological and waterwell data were collated from a wide range of sources, site-specific data were obtained and analysed to determine the hydrogeological conditions. Advice was given on groundwater depths and possible yields. A successful waterwell was subsequently drilled which met the required supply criteria.