Focused Sector(s): Water
Project: Provision of Potable Water Development Project
Date and duration: September 2008 – Dec 2008 (4 months)
Location: Desa Manunggal Sub-district, Labuhan Deli District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province
Beneficiaries: 7,830 villagers from 2,466 households
Problem(s)
- Poverty: the average income in this sub-district is between 800,000 to 900,000 Rupiah (S$150)
- Only 10 per cent of the sub-district’s population had access to potable water due to a lack of commitment on the part of the local government
- The cost of purchasing clean water was high, and unaffordable to the majority of the villagers
- People had to travel long distances to fetch clean water, which took a great deal of time
- The wells were not deep enough, which meant that the surface water obtained was often contaminated and not safe for drinking
- The traditional filtration system used to obtain potable water was made from stones and gravel, and was ineffective. Skin and gastro-intestinal diseases resulting from contaminated water were common among both adults and children
Intervention and Impact
- Constructed and installed water points using the hole-boring method
- Provided water systems, water point areas, access to water point areas, and drainage systems
- Engaged the villagers to form a Water Users’ Select Group (WUSG) which was trained to monitor and maintain the water point to prevent abuse and monopoly
- At the end of the project, we had successfully established a reliable supply of safe, potable water that was both accessible and affordable
Cost: S$88,543
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