Liquid assets

"I didn't feel OK when I gave this water to the children but they were thirsty and I had no choice." Elizabeth Banda, Mgona, Malawi.

Credit: WaterAid / Layton Thompson

"The day the water came back on I was very excited. People were singing and dancing!" Elizabeth's enthusiasm was infectious as she described her community's emotions after being reconnected to a safe water supply. It was a happy ending to a rollercoaster experience of having to switch from drinking clean water to filthy river water. 

Elizabeth lives in Mgona in Malawi's capital city Lilongwe. Home to some of the city's poorest inhabitants, Mgona is typical of the unplanned settlements that sprawl out from the city centre. Narrow alleyways wind their way through tightly packed homes. The high population density and unsanitary conditions here make it an environment where disease can quickly take a stranglehold.

From 1990 when a communal water kiosk was established, the community had thought the future of their water supply was assured. After all, they were diligently paying for every bucket they collected – money they thought was going to the Lilongwe Water Board supplying the water. But in 2002 came a shock: the connection was cut due to the community being thousands of pounds in arrears. There was no choice but to return to the river for water.

The impact on public health was devastating as Elizabeth recounted: "There was more
sickness at this time, and even an outbreak of cholera. Being a mother I was very worried about the health of my children. The children did not go to school because they were too sick."

It turns out that the money had not been reaching the water board. "People were angry," Elizabeth continues. "The water was cut off for about five months. It took me the whole day just to get two pails of water at this time so household chores could not be done. I didn't have enough water; only enough for cooking and drinking. We were going all along the river – sometimes you would go in the morning and have one pail by lunch time. People were even fighting, people got hurt."

Unable to wash themselves or their clothes, the women were too ashamed to attend church, and with a dwindling congregation, the nuns realised something must be done.

"The day the water came back on I was very excited, people were singing and dancing that day!" Elizabeth Banda.

Credit: WaterAid / Layton Thompson

They contacted WaterAid and in doing so set in place the beginnings of a unique partnership. Overcoming the complex challenges here, including the lack of management and political interference, required a different approach and so WaterAid formed a partnership between the Lilongwe Water Board, a community based organisation and the community.

Trust was rebuilt between the community and the Lilongwe Water Board with the formation of six new water users' associations across the city. The associations now officially have responsibility for managing the water supply to kiosks in their area in an arrangement with clear accounting procedures that everyone understands.

The committees collect 2.5 kwacha (approx 1p) for a bucket of water. Some of the money is used to pay the water bills and arrears while the rest pays the salaries of those responsible for running the kiosks on a day to day basis.

"The day the water came back on I was very excited," she says. "People were singing and dancing that day! I felt good because I'm able to do other things now."

With the water flowing again and the accounts in perfect order, the community is now also working to improve the area's hygiene to further reduce the risk of disease. Composting latrines and handwashing are being promoted.

"It feels good because I feel like my hands are clean and most of the waterborne diseases are prevented by washing hands, I never get sick anymore, not once in the last year." concludes Elizabeth.