Clean water project Antoby Madagascar

Organisation: Madagascar Development Fund
Location: Antoby, Madagascar
Project: Clean water system repair 

A local charity installed the first, gravity-fed water system in Antsahamaina in 2000. The system is based on two natural springs situated about 6kms in the hills above the village,  and consists of  two catchment tanks linked to a 37m³ reservoir with two compartments,  and 12 publicly accessible standpipes in villages and hamlets around the area. 

The flow of water is good (1 litre per second) however the water stopped running to the village 4 years ago as many of the pipes were either corroded or broken.  But in addition, the dimension of the pipes taking the water from the catchment tanks at the springs to the reservoir was too small. 

After a five year search for finance by the community to renovate the system, MDF funded the work in February 2012.  When the new system was inaugurated in October 2012 the head of the Water Committee described it as a “dream come true” and expressed his relief to see the water running again and the start of a “a new, better life”.

Renovating the system has restored the supply of clean, running  water to a significant number of people in numerous villages and hamlets spread over a radius of 9kms (Antsahamaina, Antoby, Ampanangananafo, Ambohitrakely, Antsahatanteraka, Antanetibe, Amparihivory) and to Andriamiarana state primary school where the children had no access to water either to drink or wash their hands after using the latrine.

The head of the Water Committee also informed MDF that the hamlet of Antoby and a section of pipe leading to the primary school were not  included in the renovation as they were thought to be still in good condition.  They had since discovered that many sections were badly corroded and leaking, and needed to be replaced.

Thanks to a donation from BW Murray  Ltd the renovation work was completed and clean and safe water flowed to the hamlet of Antoby once again