Protecting the sources in Tamale

Ten year old Sadia, is a regular visitor to the pond in the Jisonayili district of Tamale.

Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull

At first glance the pond in the Jisonayili district of Ghanaian city, Tamale, seems a picturesque, idyllic location. A seemingly shallow pool, home to water lilies with guinea fowl pecking round the edges, it appears a tranquil scene.

But the pond harbours a dark secret. At its centre is a deep natural well. Recently a little girl fell in, unaware of the dangers as it seems so shallow round the edges. Tragically the girl had never learnt to swim and drowned there.

The rest of the community is shocked by the tragedy, but still have to come to the pond. It is their only source of drinking water on Mondays and Thursdays when the city water authorities are forced by water shortages to shut off the district's standpipes.

Ten year old Sadia, pictured above, lives nearby and on those two days is a regular visitor at the pond:

Sadia collecting water under the watchful eye of her older sister.

Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull

"I come here five times a day to collect water. We use it for cooking, watering plants such as mango trees, washing bowls and washing clothes. I have never been here alone. Barahatu died here - she was my mother's niece. That's why I always come here with my sister."

As well as the risk of drowning, the community has to contend with the risks of drinking the contaminated water. The pond is bubbling as it is full of all sorts of animal and plant life. Shoals of tiny fish can be seen swimming around in it and insects buzz around on the surface. In the wet season the rains wash mud and debris from surrounding areas into the pond.

Sadia continues: "I also see grass growing in it and there are animals around - the fowls come down here and drink from this water. Sometimes I get ill from it."

This well used to be open to pollution but now has been rehabilitated by WaterAid and its partner New Energy.

Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull

In response to these problems, WaterAid and local partner organisation New Energy are planning to help the community rehabilitate and mechanise the well by fitting it with a solar pump. The well will be completely sealed, so the water will be free from contamination and it will be fitted with tapstands so the community can easily and safely fill their water containers.

Fourteen year old Basira Yusif now benefits from a similar WaterAid / New Energy scheme in Dohinayili, another district of the city. Basira explains the benefits:

"I live near here and fetch my water from here. It is my third time here today. If the taps are running I don't have to come here but they're not running today. When it was an open well the water was not as clean as this - there were a lot of particles in it. I used drawers with a rope. Now there is a change, the water is very clean."