Water Blogged

Thank you for bringing safe water to ⁠Wakiso Secondary School For The Deaf, Bukungulu Sentema, Uganda!

Before: Wakiso Secondary School for the Deaf already has a rainwater collection tank attached to their facility, but its supply simply isn’t sufficient to provide adequate water for the washing, cooking and drinking needs of the students and staff. In fact, the 250 students and staff who rely on it report that the tank is empty at least one day each week. Given the challenges already facing these students due to their learning differences, ensuring that they have sufficient clean water by adding a second rainwater collection system to the school’s facilities will be a vital step in empowering the students to succeed in their educational aspirations and secure a bright future.

After: Our implementing partner, Ugandan Water Project, erected a 10,000-liter polyethylene tank on a base made of brick, hard core, and cement. Once cured, their crew placed the tank on the base, made an overflow hole in the top of the structure and attached a pipe to it that extends six inches beyond the perimeter of the base. Crew members attached face boards to the roof of the building adjacent to the tank in order to create a suitable surface to which they attached the gutters that will allow water to flow from the metal roof to the tank. Just before the outlet pipe reaches the tank, a “T” joint was inserted to create a first flush, a rudimentary filtration system that reduces the amount of debris and contaminants that enter the tank. The crew then constructed a protective wall around the tank and first flush, as well as a tap stand located slightly downhill of the tank. The rainwater collection system will be paired with four Sawyer Point One water filters in order to ensure that all water collection from the tank will be safe for drinking.

Thanks to Katie Spotz and Stacy Lamb for supporting this project!

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