IMPROVEMENT ON THE EXISTING SPRING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION IN HILLY AREAS DUE TO CONSTANT SHIFTING OF THE SOURCE EYE: A CASE STUDY OF KARAMBI SUB- COUNTY IN KASESE DISTRICT

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter includes the introduction, background, problem statement, research objectives, purpose, and scope of the Research as well as the significance of the Research.

1.1. Background

1.2 Global Context

According to Sustainable Development Goals of 2015 adopted by all the United Nations member states, billions of people still lack safe water, sanitation and hand washing facilities. There is a global call to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 (UN-SDG – 6, 2015). The Goal recognizes that social development and economic prosperity depend on the sustainable management of freshwater resources and ecosystems and it highlights the integrated nature of SDGs. It sets its targets at achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all and substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity by 2030.

1.2.2 Regional Context

A significant amount of disease could be prevented through access to safe water supply, adequate sanitation services and better hygiene practices. Diarrhoeal disease alone amounts to an estimated 3.6 % of the total global burden of disease and is responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million people every year (WHO 2012). It is estimated that 58% of that burden, or 842 000 deaths per year, is attributable to unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene and includes 361 000 deaths of children under age five, mostly in low-income countries (WHO, 2014).

In rural Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of those who enjoy access to water from an improved source rely on boreholes with hand pumps [Sansom and Koestler, 2009]. The total number of such boreholes in Africa is unknown, but it is estimated that as many as 60,000 new hand pumps are installed each year. These are generally communal sources shared by multiple users within a community. The value of expanding access to improved water sources in rural sub-Saharan Africa is clear. However, this challenge consists not only of providing service to  more than 300 million people lacking improved drinking water facilities, but also of ensuring that the 670 million with service continue to enjoy its benefits (WHO, 2015 & UNICEF, 2015).

In Uganda the main technology options used for water supply improvements in rural areas include deep boreholes (44%), shallow wells (24%), and protected springs (21%); others include tap stands and kiosks of piped schemes and rainwater harvesting tanks (11%) (Uganda Water and Environment Sector Performance Report; June 2018). It’s therefore evident that the dominant water supply technology in rural areas in Uganda is Deep boreholes. However, this Research will consider water supply technologies being fed from both ground water sources/ production wells and surface water fed sources from catchment areas.

Access to safe water and sanitation are key requirements for the healthy society. They capture the re-occurrence of waterborne illnesses and enable the majority of the community or society to engage in social economic activities that increase household income and reduce poverty.

In Uganda, Kasese district, especially in Karambi sub county found in the hilly areas, spring water sources (protected springs, unprotected springs and open ponds) are feasible technology options for the scattered settlements around these areas. However, these sources are prone to contamination in concentrated settlement according to the location if not well protected. Therefore, constant shifting of the already protected spring water source may lead or cause hygienic problems to the community.

Uganda developed and launched her vision 2040 in April 2013 with the goal of developing “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years” (Uganda 2040, Vision statement). Among other targets, the 2040 vision aims at ensuring that 100% population has access to safe piped water by 2030 up from 15% in 2010. In line with this vision, Uganda through her line Ministry has set targets to increase water supply coverage in rural areas while ensuring equity by providing at least each village with one safe and clean water source. (Ministry of Water and Environment strategic objectives).
Problem

Rural areas of Kasese, particularly Karambi Sub County are hilly and gravity flow of spring water is common. Most spring water sources are protected. However, the flow of spring water keeps on shifting from one outlet to another posing a great challenge among the locals in constructing a durable protected spring water source. This has resulted into empty delivery pipes on some of the protected water springs while others have dried out. The sub county has 30 protected springs of which 11 are functioning , others have shifted and other have dried out. Springs serves 35000 peaple in four (4) parishes only two parishes are partly served by piped water to a population of 12000 peopple . This state of poor functioning spring source has greatly impacted on the usage and livelihood of the community. Further complex design of the retaining wall materials has led to a very complicated hygienic life of the community, fetching dirty water and failing to reconstruct the faulty protected spring where they keep on relying on government for funds. So, this complexity needs close attention to improve the existing spring water sources using locally available materials that are cost effective.

1. 
   A) B)

Source A . Karambi village, serves approximately 600people

Source B, Serves two villages ,Kyasenda and Kamasasa ,with population of 700 and 800 respectively.

Purpose of the study

The purpose of this Research is to improve on the existing protected spring water sources and to reduce on the construction costs using readily available materials and reuse of waste plastic bottles as building units and clay as protection material. The research will also serve to point out the main problems of protected springs as water sources and devise a mechanism to solve the problems in Karambi Sub county, Kasese district.

1.5 Objectives

1.5.1 General objective

The overall objective of this research is to design and improve on the existing protected spring water sources so as to prolong its useful life thereby improving constant water supply and improve on the sanitation situations of the community that uses the source.

1.5.2      Specific objectives

1. To establish the factors contributing to the shifting of water flow in the protected springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District.

1. To identify the suitable protection method that can be used to improve the existing water springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District.

• To propose an improved design of the protection system that can further the life of the protected spring in karambi sub county in kasese district

1. To determine the readily available materials that can be used to improve protection around water springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District.

1.6 Research questionnaire

1. What factors contribute to the shifting of water flow in the protected springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District?
2. What suitable protection method can be used to improve the existing water springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District?

• Are there a way of improving the design of the existing protected spring to further its life in karambi subcounty in kasese district.

1. Are there the readily available materials that can be used to improve protection around water springs in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District?

1.7 Scope of the research

1.7.1 Content scope

Research will focus on the improvement of the existing spring water source protection in hilly areas using a case study of Karambi Sub County in Kasese district. The Research shall therefore from a broader perspective, establish the factors contributing to the shifting of water flow in the protected springs, identify the suitable protection method that can be used to improve the existing water springs , to determine the readily available materials that can be used to improve protection around water springs.and propose an improved design of the of the protection units in Karambi Sub county in Kasese District. Also, tests shall be carried out on materials to be used and construct one of the faulty as a sample using proposed design and materials.

1.7.2 Geographical scope

Karambi Sub County is found in Kasese district in the north of lake George in the western region of Uganda.  Kasese is the largest town in the Rwenzori region. The district is located at 0⁰11’12’’N 30⁰0 5’17’’E on an elevation of approximately 1000m AMSL with a population of 101679 people (UBOS Census Report, 2014)

17.3 Time scope

The Research will be carried out within a period of 6 months that is from December 2019 to May 2020. The time scope is equally illustrated in the appendix 2 in a schematic representation of how the activities shall be executed during the period of the research.

1.8 Significance of the research

The findings of this Research shall help the District and Sector stakeholders determine the most viable Safe water supply technology for use in Karambi Sub-County in a bid to economically meet the safe water demand in the Sub-County with effective returns on investments made (Value for money). The findings shall also give feed back to the sector stakeholders on the technical gaps existing in the water supply technologies and propose economically viable suggestions on how to mitigate the challenges for sustained use and functionality of the water supply technologies, this could have great significance in reducing the overall long term cost of constructing an appropriate most economical sustainable water source.

Finally based on the broader perspective of the Research, the research will also broaden the scholar’s knowledge on the existence, Design and technical audit of the different water supply technologies. The research will result in the eventual redesign and demarcation of new water sources design approaches in the protected spring water sources. The feasibility of using any other material other than the use of, [ waste plastic water bottles    and clay soils will equally lead to the consideration of the eventual new approaches in spring water source protection, construction and conservation]

1.9 Justification of the research

The problems of lack or intermittent supply of water to the community cannot be taken lightly. Water, especially from fresh water sources, is needed for domestic use, agricultural production and in industrial or institutional use. The Karambi sub county happens to be located in the hills or mountains of Kasese district, Bordering Democratic republic of Congo. The problems of accurate location of the spring source were ably located; the spring source which seems to dry off or shift has made life difficult for the community. It is a daunting task to walk a long distance in search for water to wash clothes, give to animals and use at home in a plethora of ways ranging from cooking to cleaning. It is therefore, a necessity to find the possible means of eradicating the challenge. It is this that informs and forms the basis of this research.