The formerly war ravaged Pajimo Village has not had meaningful water supply and sanitation services for some time now. The installation of the solar powered borehole has, however, brought relief to villagers who have struggled to sustain their livelihoods as they had to travel long distances to fetch water.
The solar powered borehole has been installed in Pajimo village in Kitgum Municipality with support from different partners through the sustainable water fund subsidy programme. The project running under the AATWATSAN (Alternative Approaches and Tools for Improved Water Supply and Sanitation) is meant to transform lives of the people through improving water supply reliability in Northern villages of Kitgum.
Kitgum Area heavily relies on boreholes as its major source of water and is very much aware of the negative impacts of climate change on the water sources. More frequent and severe weather events mean unmet water needs in some parts of the municipality.
To address these concerns, the 26kw solarized SCADA borehole was successfully sited, drilled, developed and operationalized in January 2020 at Ogwal-woo-Lemo. This smart borehole runs at an average of 8 hours per day with a baseline output of 30m3/hour that is 240m3/day. The interlined solar panels yields electricity enough to pump water into a 300m3 pressed steel tank at Pajimo Sub County.
Since its inception more than 3 months ago, selected schools and Health Centers have benefited from improvement in sanitation under the AATWATSAN project. A Water-borne toilet constructed at Pajimo HC III and a Lined pit latrine constructed at Pajimo Primary School. Furthermore, (5) PSPs have been constructed in selected schools.
Solar powered pumps are helping NWSC facilitate its drive to increase service delivery allover Uganda by ensuring improved access to water and dignified sanitation to the population in those far off communities and populace of Northern Uganda, with Kitgum district on the list.
The same AATWATSAN projects have been deployed at Awila in Apac District and Lira-Palwo in Pader Area.
Story by: Ivan Tekakwo
