2021

Author(s): 2021 WHO call for case studies on health and climate change

Published In: 2021 WHO call for case studies on health and climate change

Many rural communities in Tanzania are facing difficulties with access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation services, which is expected to be exacerbated due to the impacts of climate change.

This case study describes one of the interventions implemented in the country as part of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID)-funded project on “Building adaptation to climate change in health in least developed countries (LDCs) through resilient water sanitation and hygiene (WASH)”.

The four-year (2013-2018) project aimed to assist countries to respond to changes in health risks as a consequence of climate variability and change, through improved and more resilient health and WASH adaptation measures.

 

The focus of the intervention was to build resilience of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure through implementation of climate-resilient Water Safety Plans (WSP) in Mbande Village, Dodoma Region, Tanzania. This intervention was designed bearing in mind that the sustainable availability of safe drinking-water will be at risk unless water supply systems are made resilient to both current levels of climatic variability and future change. Two water boreholes were constructed benefiting 85% of population, 65% of households practice water treatment at households; 75% of households has improved hygiene and sanitation facilities; diarrhoea prevalence has gone down from 11% to 4.5%.

“Water availability and quality has become a great concern. Scarcity of water has been increasing day by day in the village and water pumps break frequently due to low level of water in the borehole. Our village has, in recent years, become excessively dry and hot than any other times. Climate change adaptation is the only way to address this challenge.” - Eng. Kaitaba L. Lugakingira (Kongwa District Water Engineer).

Background

Climate change impacts are well known to affect almost every sector worldwide including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). A baseline survey of climate impacts on WASH in Mbande Village, located 66 km from Dodoma Region, Tanzania, was done to establish the situation and prioritize interventions.

A total of 140 households participated in the survey where data on demographic characteristics; access to water supply; water quality management at household level; household level hygiene and sanitation; knowledge on climate change and its impact on water resource; and human health was collected.

The Challenge

The baseline assessment revealed the following challenges:

  1. The village had only one main source of water for a population of about 7,000. The water source, a borehole, was drilled in 2005 (Figure 1). Water from that borehole was reported to be too salty to use for drinking and cooking and that the salinity level increased year after year. In addition, the water source was challenged by increased population and low borehole yield associated with decline of water table during dry periods. Water scarcity forced many people to rely on traditional wells, shallow wells and seasonal water sources particularly springs along valleys. Also, people travelled far and opt for unsafe water whenever they were found, including water sold by vendors whose quality was not known;
  2. Only less than 1% of respondents reported to treat water at household level mainly by boiling;
  3. Sanitation coverage was low, with only 17 % of the population having improved latrines;
  4. The prevalence of diarrheal diseases was 11%, and children under 5 years of age were mostly affected;
  5. About 65 % of respondents knew that both drought and excessive rain can affect health and water quality but they were often unable to link the change in rainfall pattern and weather over time in Mbande village with climate change.

 

The findings were disseminated to members of the community during a village assembly, followed by development of water safety action plan. The plan was endorsed by the village assembly with “one voice”.

Communal Water Source in Mbande village
Village assembly

Climate and health solutions

To address the challenge of climate impact on WASH in Mbande village, the climate and health solutions were the following:

  • Drilling of two alternative boreholes to compensate the water shortage and quality. The Geophysical and Hydrogeological survey was done before drilling the boreholes.
  • Protection of the existing water source (borehole) and the pump house.
  • Repair and maintenance of existing water supply infrastructure.
  • Household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS).
  • Installation of chlorination system in the unit (storage tank).
  • Household sensitization on hygiene, sanitation and drinking water treatment and safe storage.

Progress achieved

Two new boreholes were constructed benefiting more than 85% of households. Improving water supply will not only save lives and sufferring from diarrhoea diseases, but also save time for people, especially women,who often have to travel far away to seek water for domestic use, and thus engage in economic development activities.

Currently, more than 65% of households were trained and can now manage water quality at point of use through household water treament and safe storage. In addition, the households were provided with chlorine liquid and tablets for disinfecting water at household level. All local shops were encouraged to store chlorine so that people could purchase as the demand was already created.

As the result of this project, over 75% of households now have improved hygiene and sanitation facilities. This was achieved by a continuation of the training and awareness componentt which called for all households to have an improved toilet facility. Consequently, diarrhea prevalence has gone down from 11% to 4.5%.

Lessons learned

Successful implementation of this project led to the following conclusions:

  • Communities have indigenous knowledge on seasonal weather changes that can be used to plan for climate change adaptation;
  • Climate change adaptation through water safety plan is practical and real;
  • Improving WASH has a huge positive outcome on the health of the community;
  • Community engagement during identification of challenges facing them and planning together on how to address such challenges creates a sense of ownership which is an important component of project sustainability.

The text of this case study is based on the submission from the case study lead organization received through the 2021 Call for case studies on health and climate change and does not endorse or reflect the views of the World Health Organization or any of its activities.