Decentralized Water Supply
Particularly in rural, mountainous areas with little rainfall, water sources are often several hundred meters away from houses and fields. People in these often agricultural regions may need to walk long distances in order to fetch water and carry it back to their villages. Moreover, the lack of accessible clean water constitutes serious health hazards. Dim prospects for socio-economic development under these conditions can fuel mass migration to urban areas, with dreams of a better life.
Where conventional water supply systems fail
Local and state governments have continuously failed in their efforts to supply water to rural and mountainous areas. Conventional systems that channel water over long distances from rivers or big reservoirs, or that employ diesel motor pumps to deliver water to mountainous villages are expensive and rarely show positive long-term results. On the contrary, such programmes often can have a demoralising effect on the participating population.
The failure stems from the concept and technologies of the systems employed:
- not appropriate for specific preferences and needs of the poor target groups
- provider are often unaware of the needs and financial capabilities of the user groups
- high costs for operation and maintenance of diesel powered systems that are susceptible to break down
- maintenance servicing is expensive
- high investment and administration costs (in order to service remote areas)
Water supply - a global issue
Water is essential for life. However, 1.2 billion people have no regular access to safe drinking water. The UN Millennium Development Goals aim to halve the number of people without access to water by 2015. In March 2003, the UN also proclaimed the period from 2005 to 2015 International Decade for Action on the subject `Water for Life`. The intent was to call attention to the vital role of water and its urgency for human development around the world.
Water scarcity mostly affects poor countries and constitutes a threat to food security and economic development. Without sufficient water farmers cannot produce enough food and industries depending on regular water supplies struggle or collapse.
At the same time, 90% of the wastewater produced worldwide is discharged into the water cycle without receiving sufficient treatment.
80% of all diseases and 25% of all deaths in developing countries are a result of water contamination. Thus, water supply and wastewater treatment together play a key role in the fight against poverty, the reduction of environmental pollution and the prevention of conflicts.