Water and Sanitation Services for the Rural Community of Anjoma Itsara in Madagascar
The town of Anjoma Itsara is situated in the highlands of southeast Madagascar with a population of 2,500 inhabitants. Anjoma Itsara lacks a consistent supply of water to meet its needs. The population depends on three wells (unprotected), one seasonal river and a pond. Each of these sources is contaminated with coliform and e.coli micro-organisms, which are the main causes of diarrhea disease.
TAPFIRE has conducted a needs assessment and designed a system to supply water and sanitation services on a fee-for-service basis, through an integrated management system providing household water supply, public water fountains, washbasins, and toilet and shower facilities. The fee-for-services are necessary to ensure the sustainable supply of the services.
The project will approach water provisioning by protecting natural resources through the enhancement and management of the community’s watershed. This will be accomplished through reforestation, stabilizing slopes with a multistoried cover of diverse endemic tree species, and planting cash crops (coffee, fruit, essential oil plants).
This initiative is a conservation-focused water supply program which links environment and health issues, as well as watershed rehabilitation through reforestation of endemic tree species.
A community mobilization and education component will be incorporated into all project activities. By increasing knowledge and awareness, community attitudes and behaviours towards water and sanitation will change, and ultimately lead to an increasing demand for water and sanitation services.
TAPFIRE will provide the funds to cover all necessary expenses related to the initial capital investment. These capital investments are comprised of:
- rehabilitation of a dam;
- digging of a well at the base of the dam with adequate protection to prevent contamination;
- a hand operated pump;
- a reservoir to feed the town through gravity;
- two washing basins / shower facilities;
- four public water fountains (one within the market);
- water supply to the public health clinic;
- water supply to two public schools.
Revenues will be generated through the community-managed sale of water (public and private taps) and user fees associated with sanitation services (washing basins, toilet and shower facilitates).