Water Blogged

St. Mugagga Junior School Rainwater Harvesting System
Luwero District, Uganda
Serving 341 students and teachers

BEFORE:
Students at St. Mugagga Junior School had unreliable water sources, including a small pond located 2 kilometers away from the school, which required a round-trip of 4 kilometers. The pond is shared with animals and other community members. Students faced many challenges along the way while fetching water from the pond, including:

– They missed their classes and returned to school exhausted.
– They often encountered dangerous creatures such as snakes.
– They got muddy and wet filling jerry cans from the pond, and the young risked drowning if unattended.
– The pond water is unsafe and contaminated.

AFTER:
A 20,000-liter (20 cubic meters) rainwater catchment system has been installed at St. Mugagga Junior School to harvest water and ensure a reliable supply during the dry season. Based on an average consumption rate of 0.15 liters per student, this tank can provide sufficient water for approximately one month during the dry spell. This installation effectively addresses previous water access challenges, offering a dependable backup storage and supply system. Additionally, the school received 2 water filters for safe drinking water. A meter has been installed on the tap stand to monitor water usage accurately. This data will enable comparison with initial design parameters to evaluate the system’s capacity and performance over time.

Our implementing partner, Drink Local Drink Tap, will include educational signage, school WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene education) training, the formation of a WASH committee, and the planting of fruit trees.

Thank you to the following for supporting this project:
– Ashland-Greenwood Middle School, NE
– King of Grace Lutheran School, MN
– Otter Lake Elementary School, MN