When Systems Fail

When water supply systems fail such as wells or boreholes, an entire community can be effected. Water supply system failure is inevitable in areas where upkeep is rare. What is disconcerting about this is that when systems fail, they remain in a perpetual state of failure. This is problematic in most rural areas where the alternative water source is an often contaminated open well source, swamp, river or stream. It is worth noting that most of the failed water supply systems that have failed such as hand pump wells, have been put in after the war in Sierra Leone, after 2003. A number of different problems stem from water failure and alternative water sources.

Health problems such as diarrhoea, vomiting and skin conditions due to drinking, cooking and bathing in contaminated water are common. This often prevents children from going to school, limiting their access to learning and education. Adults who suffer from health problems are prohibited from working in agricultural or other labour roles and thus suffer from a loss of income. Loss of health, education and income can be hugely detrimental to a household and family as rural households often depend on the sum of its parts and the income derived from each part.

Alannah Delahunty