Low-Cost Groundwater Supplies in Northern Mali: Lessons from Technology Introduction in a Complex Context (2006 - 2015)

Michael F. MacCarthy, PhD Assistant Professor Dept. of Environmental Engineering School of Engineering [email protected] Macon, Georgia, USA

Abdoul Hamid Abdou Independent Consultant – WASH Gao, Mali

Overview

1. Context a. northern Mali b. Oxfam GB WASH Activities

2. Technology Introduction a. Testing/Piloting Activities b. Rope Pumps c. Hand Augered Wells

3. 2015 Assessment Study a. Rope Pump functionality b. Manual Drilling c. Technology Transfer/Acceptance

4. Conclusions, Next Steps Context: 2006-2008

Gao region, Mali

Situation • Harsh environment (desert – extreme heat) • Poor populations • Relatively short periods between Crises -E.g. - Cricket invasion ruined crops in 2005 - Drought in 2006 - Political instability / Unrest (rebel uprising in Kidal Region in 2006.) . . . Al-Qaeda in the Sahara causing additional problems.

Had led to: • Semi-permanent “post-emergency” environment • Donors providing short-term funding • NGOs stuck in emergency mode • Implementing high-cost solutions w/ minimal community participation Oxfam GB WASH Activities in Gao Region, 2006-2008

2006 Humanitarian Funding (DEC Funding) - community WASH [entire Gao Region]

2006-2007 Transitional Funding (Bruderhof Communities) - school and community WASH [entire Gao Region] * Piloting of low-cost technologies - import of technologies from Niger - discussion w/ target communities, local officials

2008-2009 Implementation of Low-Cost Community WASH Project (ECHO, Water and Nutrition call) - implementation of low-cost technologies [1/2 of one circle]

Why try low-cost water technologies in Northern Mali

1. Where feasible, very cost-efficient (saves everyone money)

2. Allow for increased participation of local communities

3. Simple technologies, relatively easy to use/maintain/repair

4. Potential for technology transfer from ‘Next Door’ (Niger)

* help make communities more resilient *

Pilot Activities, 2006-2007

PURPOSE: - Convince various actors of the feasibility of low-cost water technologies in Gao Region - Ourselves - Oxfam GB colleagues - Malian Water Authorities - Donors!

Rope Pump ECHO-funded project, 2008-2009

Overall Aim: - To decrease the rate of malnutrition in Bamba and Temera municipalities through WASH interventions

Field Assessment of Water Point Functionality, August-Sept 2015

• 26 of 90 Community Water Points (ECHO-funded project) visited

– Meetings with water point management managers/committees

– Discussion with other stakeholders (community members, technicians)

– Physical inspection of Rope Pumps and boreholes

Field Assessment Results Results Rope Pump Context: 2006-2008

Gao region, Mali

Situation • Increased Insecurity, directly affecting Oxfam GB team • Oxfam GB vehicle hijacked in Gao Region • Break-in at Oxfam GB office in Gao – 2 long-time staff members killed

• Political and security situation continued to deteriorate • 2011: Oxfam GB in Gao suspends activities, leaves Gao • Tuareg rebel uprising in northern Mali • 2012 Presidential coup • northern Mali under control of Tuareg rebels and other groups, for a time • . • .

• Humanitarian crisis • Regular bombings (including suicide bombings) in various parts of Gao region • Populations in flux (including in Bamba, Temera) – project beneficiaries leave there homes/communities, at times for weeks, months. . . Results Rope Pump Functionality - 62 percent were operational (16 out of 26). (This percentage is in- line with avg for India Mark II pumps in northern Mali, according to 2012 Mali WASH cluster study)

- majority of non-functional pumps were easily repairable

- reported reasons for non-repair: - Cost (59%) - Mechanical Issues, Lack of technical means (34%) - Insufficient water in well (7%) - many pumps reported to have been abandoned during crisis - displacement of populations (including water authorities, pump technicians) - community management, repair of pumps (some vandalized) not a priority for communities during crisis - numerous villages with non-functional pumps had benefitted from new water point(s) close by during the crisis (Menaka example)

Other Results Drilling - Inspection of all wells with pumps showed adequate water levels - Main technician group trained in manual drilling continues activities in Gao, as of Sept 2015 (2nd trained group merged with them after first year) - Evidence of private manually drilled wells in Bamba and Temera

Rope Pump Manufacturing - Manufacturer trained in Gao continues to repair pumps and make spare parts (He does not, however, regularly make new Rope Pumps) - New Rope Pumps (for other projects, private customers) brought from southern Mali

National Level - Oxfam GB and WinRock supported training of Rope Pump manufacturer in southern Mali - the Rope Pump is now on the list of community pumps accepted by the Malian national water authorities (DNH) - former Gao regional water official promoting manual drilling in other parts of Mali

Preliminary Conclusions • Despite complex humanitarian situation over past several years, majority of Rope Pumps are still functional • Various actors (beneficiairies, NGO community, Malian water officials) convinced of value of low-cost water technologies for use in community water supply sector in Mali • Some successes with initial technology transfer

Further Steps • Further analysis of collected data, discuss options with local actors to support • Desk study of low-cost water technology implementation in other insecure environments (e.g. Chad, South Sudan) • Explore the potential role for low-cost water technologies in Self-Supply in Gao region, and possibilities for training / capacity building

Acknowledgments • Ibrahim Mamadou and Jon Naugle (formerly of EnterpriseWorks, now with Water4) • Dr. Kerstin Danert, RWSN • Oxfam GB • ECHO • Bruderhof Communities in the UK • National Water Ministry, Mali • Study Participants