JANUARY 2017 Inside This Issue...

Editor’s Note

Honourable Minister of Environment, Water and Climate meets UNICEF’s New Country Resident Representative

Recognising and through National Commemorations

Zimbabwe Handwashing Campaign Alliance: Saving lives with water and soap

WASH Wizards: Breaking the male dominated artisanal field, changing the lives of women

Sanitation for success: Bridging the gap between communities and service providers

Upgrade design and operation of a Landfill

Diversification contributes to the success of Gwanda North Community Health Clubs

SIRDC working with RDCs to create multi-sectoral GIS systems

C-WASH Project for Lasting and Inclusive Water and Sanitation Facilities

Water: A Human Right or a Lucrative Business?

New sustainable, inclusive, zero waste technology to treat gray water, industrial effluent and sewage

DISCLAIMER: Any views or opinions presented in this newsletter are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Zimbabwe WASH sector management body, the National Action Committee (NAC) Secretariat the National Coordination Unit (NCU) and its supporting partners; SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and UNICEF.

II WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Editor’s Note

is another new year again and I wish you all a fruitful and prosperous 2017. The Editorial Team would like to thank you all for your positive support during the course of 2016 and It is happy to announce launch of the 5th edition of the WASH Connector Newsletter. The year 2016 was loaded with a number of strategic, high impact and life changing developments which include the unveiling of a national WASH Sector Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) against the current El-Nino-La Nina induced drought and development of the WASH Sector National Sanitation and Hygiene Policy.

The Government also successfully launched two national strategic documents for the WASH Sector viz The Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning Framework and The Sanitation & Hygiene Advocacy Strategy. The 2016/17 Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) report with a financial focus was also finalised.

Two major sector development projects namely the 14 Small Towns WASH Programme and the 33 Districts Rural WASH Project were also successfully rounded up and formally handed over to Government. The Rural WASH Project was also further extended to cover the three remaining Provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Manicaland. These development activities together with many others kept us busy throughout the year. As such, the sector performed very well and we applaud all our partners for a job well done.

Having realised these gains from 2016, the New Year started on a sad note with an unexpected Typhoid outbreak in Mbare. To date, Harare City has reported more than 500 suspected cases since the 13th of October 2016, 45 of which have so far tested positive with 3 deaths. A National Rapid Response Team has been set put to try and quell further spread of the disease inlight of the current rainy season characterised by heavy down pours across all the 10 Provinces.

Together we can stop the spread of typhoid!

I strongly believe and hope that we are ready for the New Year, new challenges and new possibilities. Let us all put our hands together and serve our nation ensuring universal access to clean-safe water and dignified sanitation thereby reducing the disease burdens associated with their neglect.

We wish you inspired reading.

Dhoba Lovemore WASH Information Officer, National Coordination Unit

Dhoba Lovemore

WASH Connector Editorial Team

Kevin Mazorodze Carl Mateta

Angella Kabira Tafadzwa Shumba Matthew Chirambamhanda

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 1 Honourable Minister of Environment, Water and Climate meets UNICEF’s New Country Resident Representative

By Dhoba Lovemore, National Coordination Unit This system is currently being used to track severity of the El Nino-La Nina induced drought. In preparation for a new financial year There is also need to continue formulating new and as a tactical move to open doors wide strategies able to withstand current climate for strategic engagements, the Minister change challenges. Of major scrutiny was the responsible for Environment, Water and issue of boreholes equipped with hand pumps. Climate, Hon O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri (MP) The unrelenting recession of ground water had a round table discussion with UNICEF’s table in direct response to has new Country Representative Dr. Mohamed Ag a net effect on water availability and access by Ayoya. The meeting held at Kaguvi Building on communities. the 13th of December 2016 was also attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of It was sweet to the ears hearing the Hon. Environment, Mr. P Mupazviriho, the National Minister tabling technical solutions to technical Coordinator in the National Coordination challenges bedevilling the sector in the face of Unit Mr. H.R Mashingaidze and UNICEF’s climate change. Most interesting from her pool Chief of WASH, Mr. V. Kinyanjui. In her of solutions was further deepening of already opening remarks, the Hon. Minister expressed existing boreholes where there is evidence dismay over the sector’s level of disaster of receding water table and for high yielding preparedness which she said still remains boreholes, equip those with solar powered on the reactive side resulting in unnecessary pumps and pipe water to follow communities. loss of human life. She underscored that our This is also with some background that over programming for 2017 should seek to reverse usage of hand pumps has resulted in frequent this status quo and strive to reduce the impact breakdowns many of which are beyond the of any future disasters affecting the sector. capacity of user communities to finance. More often than not, this has resulted in long down time of water points forcing communities back As if to allay the Hon. Minister’s fears, the to traditional sources. National Coordinator Mr. Mashingaidze apprised the meeting that the Rural WASH Sub-Sector Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya was quick to point has long since been put on a national real time out that, the current drought is a major cause monitoring system able to report on the water for concern to UNICEF’s current and future and sanitation situation across communities. programming. The Climate change office within UNICEF is currently in the process of mobilising resources for a national programme in response to the current climate change challenges. With immediate effect, the Rural WASH Project has been extended to the three provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central

High Level Discussion: (From left) National Coordinator for National Coordination reaching out to more than Unit Mr. H.R Mashingaidze, Environment, Water and Climate Minister 1.4m people. This is backed by Hon O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Mr. P. Mupazviriho, Hon. Minister’s Aid Mr. S. Karimanzira, £12 million grant from DFID. UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya and UNICEF Chief of Plans are also at an advanced WASH, Mr. V. Kinyanjui during the round table discussion at Kaguvi Building on stage to commission a national the 13th of December 2016

2 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Honourable Minister of Environment, Water and Climate meets UNICEF’s New Country Resident Representative

programme for rehabilitation of community urban areas as Local Authorities’ capacity to managed piped water schemes. This started collect waste continue to decline to unparalleled with a national technical assessment of all levels. This calls for behaviour change on the community managed piped water schemes part of residence generating the waste and is strewn across the country. UNICEF is proposing only possible through heightening and focusing a system where the more than 500 schemes hygiene promotion whilst instituting measures assessed are rehabilitated and have their varied sound enough to make compliance binding and pumping mechanisms converted to solar with compulsory on both parties. UNICEF Resident reduced operational costs. Representative gave a practical example of Iran where Government has worked through “…boreholes are drying up but why are we school children enforcing the anti litter continuing with borehole drilling?” asked Dr. ticketing programme “…the US$14m Education Mohamed Ag Ayoya. Where boreholes have Fund availed to the Ministry of Primary and failed, the sector should also be flexible enough Secondary Education by UNICEF and with a to turn back to surface water especially in small WASH component can be used to kick those regions proud of perennial river networks start this discussion”. able to sustain new piped water schemes. Rounding up this alliance of minds, the two The need to conduct proper assessment of parties took note that the current WASH water available, both ground and surface to guard against yield related future failures of the rehabilitated schemes need not be over emphasized. Rivers and dams are silted and this has reduced their water holding capacity, “…I recommend that like agriculture we also institute a Command river and dam desiltation programme” lamented the Hon. Minister as she scrounges around for measures to boost the available surface and ground water resource.

The discussion also revolved around a myriad of urban WASH challenges blamed for precipitating outbreak of archaic Stone Age diseases such as typhoid and . Water Three Dignitaries: Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya poses for a situation in urban areas at the moment is very photo flanked by Hon O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri and her deplorable due to erratic supply. This situation Permanent Secretary Mr. P Mupazviriho has forced residents to seek solace in alternative Sector Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) sources chief amongst which are shallow wells has not been able to attract as much funding and boreholes. “This water again is not safe during the course of the year. However the due to burst sewer pipes affecting ground coming onboard of USAID with US$2m, the water”. This leaves residents exposed to high Germany Government with US$1m and DFID risk of contracting water borne diseases. The with US$2.7m has made a very big difference recurrent typhoid outbreak in the high density over a very short space of time. “However, all suburbs of Glenview and Budiriro throughout these funds would need proper coordination and the year should therefore not be taken as a oversight from Government so that the most shocker. deserving vulnerable Zimbabweans benefit from Solid waste management continues to top the interventions” concluded the Hon. Minister. in a group of notorious challenges distressing

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 3 Recognising Sanitation and Hygiene through National Commemorations

By SELF Project Team School, Mubaira Growth Point. A high powered delegation comprising government officials, development agencies, NGOs and private sector partners also attended the event. In a keynote address read on his behalf by the Minister responsible for Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, Vice President Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of sanitation and hygiene to communities.

Megabanner carrying theme for the commemoration In his speech the Vice President reiterated Zimbabweans in the Water, Sanitation and the Government’s commitment to achieving Hygiene (WASH) sector came together in Sustainable Development Goal 6 which is November 2016 to commemorate the National premised on ensuring universal access to safe Sanitation Week, Global Handwashing and and affordable drinking water and sanitation World Day. This joint commemoration for all by 2030. He noted that improved is an annual event organised by the National water and sanitation are key enablers to the Sanitation and Hygiene Taskforce putting socio-economic development of any nation sanitation and hygiene high on the national and lamented the unacceptably widespread development agenda. The week encompasses practice of open defaecation in Zimbabwe a variety of activities from road shows, clean which threatens . He hailed the up campaigns to dramas, dance, art and US$53m DfID/SDC/UNICEF funded Rural distribution of Information, Education and WASH Project that has managed to eradicate Communication (IEC) materials that create open defaecation in a number of communities awareness on issues around sanitation and through promoting construction of . hygiene. The commemorations were held under the theme “ construction and handwashing with soap: key to “Allow me therefore Ladies and Gentleman employment creation,” which resonated to recognise the US$53m DFID/SDC/UNICEF with the World Toilet Day theme of “ and funded Rural WASH Project covering the 5 Jobs” and the theme Provinces of Mashonaland West, Matabeleland “Make Handwashing a Habit!” North, Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo. This is one notable intervention that has loosened this burden by managing to declare 1 953 villages Open Defaecation Free (ODF) through construction of over 96 780 latrines,” he said.

The Vice President also took the opportunity to launch two key sector strategic guideline

Mark Harper from Welthungerhilfe stops for a chat at one documents; the National Sanitation and of the exhibition stands at the event Hygiene Advocacy Strategy and the Sanitation and Hygiene Monitoring and Evaluation and The event presided over by the Vice President Honourable E.D Mnangagwa was Learning Framework which the Government of hosted by Chegutu District at Rio Tinto High Zimbabwe with support from the Water Supply

4 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Recognising Sanitation and Hygiene through National Commemorations

and Sanitation Collaborative Council developed which the Guest of Honour toured. Unilever for effective implementation and tracking of sponsored IEC materials for the event and sanitation and hygiene interventions. also conducted road-shows in the surrounding villages and at Mubaira business centre a week The Minister responsible for Health and Child before the launch. Other smaller celebrations Care Honourable Dr David Parirenyatwa,called were held across the country and were attended on all Zimbabweans to actively take up the by thousands of Zimbabweans. Welthungerhilfe duty to improve sanitation and hygiene and (WHH) supported 10 commemorative events abandon the business-as-usual approach which in Mashonaland West under its SELF project relegates sanitation and hygiene to the lowest initiative. position on individual and national priorities. Other notable speakers at the event were the Just to mention a few events, Saint Oswald`s Minister responsible for Environment, Water High School, in collaboration with three other and Climate Honourable O.C.Z Muchinguri- local schools, hosted the event on the 22nd Kashiri, Unilever Managing Director Mr H. of November in Mhondoro Ngezi. Children Muzondiwa, World Health Organisation Country performed drama on handwashing, diarrhoea and dangers of poor hygiene while encouraging Representative, Dr D. Okello and Australian Aid others to cascade information from School of Development Cooperation in Zimbabwe Health Clubs to their families. The children also Christina Landsberg who all reiterated the performed poetry and songs on handwashing importance of investing in water and sanitation, and hygiene themes while other pupils and reducing child mortality by improving health and teachers participated in a competition for the hygiene facilities and tackling climate change best handwashing method as demonstrated by through building climate resilient communities. the Shamiso handwashing poster.

In Kariba, celebrations were held at Siakobvu Primary School and a Chalala with over 500 people in attendance. Drama and songs were presented by Health Clubs. School children presentations on WASH called for every household to have a toilet, waste disposal and handwashing facility. In Kadoma celebrations were also held in Rimuka, Waverly and Chemukute Surburbs on the 30th of November commencing with parades from school drum majorettes. All these events we built up activites to the national event.

Lands and Rural Settlements Minister, Honourable Douglas Mombeshora delivering the keynote address DID YOU KNOW?

The event was characterised by drama, song and poetry performances by school children and water and sanitation advocates. The private sectors’ participation was also visible in the form exhibitions with local NGOs and private players in the WASH sector taking the opportunity to 28% of the total Zimbabwean exhibit their products and services on stands population practice open defaecation

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 5 Zimbabwe Handwashing Campaign Alliance: Saving lives with water and soap

By Sharon Murinda, SDC Regional Office for Southern Africa

Sheila Mutero shows her water jug and bar of soap which she won during competitions at a live performance show.

Sheila Mutero (15) from Mufakose high density suburb in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare “I did not know that we can actually get sick is fortunate to be alive following a near death and die if we do not our hands with clean experience with typhoid in 2014. In fact, some water and soap before eating or after using the of her neighbours, including her best friend toilet,” Sheila said. Tambudzai from the nearby high density suburb Many people in Zimbabwe, especially children, of Dzivaresekwa, succumbed to dehydration die every year from preventable diseases such and two days after being admitted at as cholera and typhoid. These frequent cases a local clinic. The typhoid outbreak was mainly of diarrhea are also among the main causes of attributed to unreliable safe drinking water in malnutrition and are responsible for more than high density suburbs; some of which went for half of all childhood deaths. months without running water. One of the most effective ways of preventing Sheila knew she should wash her hands before diarrhea is to improve hygiene at home, in eating, but did not do it regularly because of communities and schools especially through incessant water shortages and generally she proper handwashing with soap. This should did not value the importance of washing hands be done at all critical times such as before with soap. After discussing the importance of preparing and eating food, after using the handwashing with soap with health workers toilet or handling a child’s faeces and before breastfeeding following the handwashing and listening to various messages on radio and healthy steps. through live performances by popular musicians in her community, she finally understood that A project of the Swiss Agency for Development handwashing with soap saves lives. and Cooperation (SDC) is working with the

6 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Zimbabwe Handwashing Campaign Alliance: Saving lives with water and soap

Zimbabwe Handwashing Campaign Alliance level. The Swiss Agency for Development and that comprises Action Aid Zimbabwe, Farm Cooperation has further availed more funds Community Trust of Zimbabwe and the for upscaling this initiative in rural Masvingo Combined Harare Residents Association Trust. (Bikita and Zaka) and implementation started in The alliance aims to develop communication October of 2016. In addition to these activities, materials and train teachers and community the campaign pushed for the inclusion of health workers to teach school children and Handwashing with soap as a key aspect to families in urban areas on proper personal ensure hygiene in communities and institutions hygiene behaviour, especially handwashing in the new National Sanitation and Hygiene with soap at all critical times. Policy currently under finalization.

Capitalizing on access to media by most The intervention shows that simple family members in urban areas the project information clearly presented has a huge impact partnered with local popular musicians Leonard on the health of children and communities. Zhakata and Tinashe Magacha to compose Teaching children the importance of proper and songs and jingles that encourage handwashing regular handwashing with soap for example, with soap. The songs have become an instant has short and long-term benefits. Girls such as hit with many urbanites and the reach has been Sheila often have to help their mothers feed national. and care for the younger children. After they Community health workers and teachers on become mothers themselves, they will be able the other hand have been using Information, to share the good hygiene practices with the Educational and Communication (IEC) materials next generation. such as posters and fliers to inform families and school children on how improved hygiene behavior, is critical in improving the health of everyone as well as where to set up a place for MATANHO EHUTANO . PAKUGEZA Sheila and other people in her community MAOKO who recently received handwashing materials zvinodiwa or including a plastic jug and soap to motivate them to remember to wash their hands regularly with or Komichi yokuchururudza maoko Chigodo soap says she and her family have benefited Pombi from this simple but very effective intervention. or “Before, my family and friends in the Mugomo community were often getting sick, especially unepombi or Sipo with diarrhea, now that we have received yemuchigubhu training on handwashing from our community Magezerwo health worker as well as our teachers we are emaoko Sipo yehupfu Sipo yemvura much less sick than in past years,” said Sheila. The Zimbabwe Handwashing Campaign Alliance has implemented the campaign in 10 high Nyorovesa maoko nemvura Zora sipo Kwesha mukati memaoko Kwesha kunze kwemaoko Kwesha pakati pezvigunwe density residential suburbs, 9 health centres yakachena iri kuchururuka and 20 primary schools across Harare.

Kwesha mukati menzwara Kwesha panoperera minwe Dzumburudza maoko ako nemvura Zunza maoko ako aome kana To further support the national reach of the yakachena inochururuka kuomesa ne tauro rakachena project, IEC materials developed for the project were shared with the Ministry of Health and Child Care for possible adoption at the national

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 7 WASH Wizards: Breaking the male dominated artisanal field, changing the lives of women

By Geshem Madzingaidzo WASH Wizards are locally identified residents It all started as a usual community meeting. who are trained by the SELF Project and A 57 year old widow, Florence Mukondorongwe Kadoma City Council Engineering department was preparing to sit through at least an hour on basic plumbing skills so as to provide of predictable council announcements and plumbing services to their community. They updates on WASH but when the WASH Wizards help to reduce water loss and toilet blockages concept was introduced Florence became at household level providing services at a more interested. Little did she know that this reasonable price. meeting would change her life. Initially she thought, “Plumbing by a local woman? It is not possible”. Few women seemed interested and For Florence, becoming a WASH Wizard that added to her anxiety. “I really want to be expanded her horizons and made a huge impact part of this but what will people say when they in her household. In Old Ngezi, blocked and see me walking around carrying spanners?” filthy communal toilets were the only facilities thought Florence? Informal plumbing is seen available to residents. The SELF Project as men’s work in our patriarchal society but introduced new water and sewer reticulation despite this, the idea caught her interest and infrastructure and individual households were Florence decided to join the team at last able to build their own toilets and get water connections. Florence was one of the Florence Mukondorongwe grew up as one first two WASH Wizards in Old Ngezi to build a of nine children in Mubaira, Mhondoro. Her toilet and get a water connection at her home. mother died when she was just 8 years old and her father remarried and abandoned Florence “I did not call plumbers to my household for and her siblings to fend for themselves. When plumbing works. I installed my toilet set alone her father returned with the intention of giving and only called my supervisor to inspect the Florence away in marriage, she fled to her works,” She says “I was very happy when my sister in Chitungwiza. Florence later married a work passed their requirements. After training man of her choice and relocated to Kadoma. as a WASH Wizard I vowed never again to Sadly her husband passed away in 2003. She hire anyone for plumbing works at my home. is a resident of Old Ngezi, Kadoma where the I risked losing money on wasted material if SELF project is being implemented. my work was condemned as not being done to standard.”

“Some people laughed at me when I raised my hand during the meeting to be chosen as one of the WASH Wizard trainees saying, “vanotienderepiko mai ava, havadi kupfuurwa nezvinhu”, (where is she going this woman, she wants to be part of everything).

“But we were losing money to unscrupulous plumbers who did not know what they were doing”, said Florence. “I participated in the training and was among the top. The WASH Florence fixing a broken pipe Wizard trade has changed my life for the

8 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 WASH Wizards: Breaking the male dominated artisanal field, changing the lives of women

the council. The Wizards work in groups under the supervision of Mr. Abraham, the City Council Maintenance Officer. Florence now feels confident enough to find her own small jobs. “When I walk around my community and see household water leaks I start educating home owners, explaining that they are paying for this wasted water and I offer my services. At first, they refused my service because I am a woman and they think I will damage their property as plumbing is considered profession for man,” Florence laughs. But now everyone is used to the WASH Wizards and they are confident to fix leaking pipes and toilets without supervision. WASH Wizard in action better. We WASH Wizards are able to offer our The WASH Wizards programme has changed services as a group and are being paid $40.00 the lives of dedicated women plumbers in for each toilet we connect”. Ngezi.

The training takes only three days followed by a practical attachment for one month with

DID YOU KNOW?

At the 2014 Sanitation and water for All High Level Meeting, Zimbabwe made a commitment to develop a Sanitation and Hygiene Policy

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 9 Sanitation for success: Bridging the gap between communities and service providers

By Elias Phiri, CAFOD To achieve these targets, the programme set up community and school health clubs Emerging towns in developing countries are as key platforms to initiate dialogue. The burdened with increased population growth Murewa Waste Management Taskforce was also that has seen an increase in the demand for formulated in an effort to develop sustainable services. This has stretched Local Authorities’ platforms for dialogue as well as information budgets in an already financially strained sharing between Local Authorities and the environment. Inadequate budgets coupled with Business Community. unwillingness to pay by residents have seen local authorities struggle to deliver services With an organised community that is able to every year. With deteriorating service delivery, demand high level service, the programme felt Local Authorities’ relationship with residents, that there was need to strengthen the capacity are getting strained. of the Council to be able to respond to the needs of the community. Capacity gaps were identified and plugged in areas such as asset management and maintenance, customer care and complaints handling and strategic planning. Trainings are currently being rolled out to ensure improved service delivery. At the same time, Council also managed to meaningfully engage with residents during budget consultations not only in ward 30 where the program is being implemented but also in other wards. As such Experts panel discussion residents are now more willing to engage with The Sanitation for Success project being the Local Authority on issues that affect them implemented in Murewa and Nyanga has the especially service delivery. goal of sustainably improving living conditions, health, human , economic productivity and the environment in the poor urban and peri- urban areas of Murewa and Nyanga through an integrated approach to sanitation. Murewa Ward 30 is a fast growing location aiming to gain town status in the near future. Since 2014, CAFOD together with its partner Caritas Harare have successfully created platforms for dialogue between residents and service providers under the Sanitation for Success program in Murewa. School-led panel discussion

The Sanitation for Success program has three To improve service delivery the program also Key Result Areas which are: supplied a number of hardware items including 1. Comprehensive sanitation coverage a compactor and over 300 litter bins sourced increases by 50% by the Murewa Waste Management Taskforce. 2. Hygiene practices and behaviours improve The program has also installed a biogas to in target areas electricity plant and biogas cooking facilities at 3. A service provision schools. This development triggered residents structure is in place to meet their obligation to improve in payment of rates and at the same time, improving solid

10 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Sanitation for success: Bridging the gap between communities and service providers

School health club facilitation waste management. This has been further enhanced further by community health club members involved in collecting solid waste as a form of income generation.

Improvements in infrastructure have led to residents appreciating the need to pay for services. The programme has also facilitated Showcasing the waste management products creation of proactive and innovative platforms that enable residents to own solutions to their challenges. Another project component, the Livelihoods Sanitation Savings Fund has been very instrumental in enabling residents to pay for their rates and invest in WASH infrastructure such as water connections and buying sewer materials for the newly c o n s t r u c t e d M a g a m b a s e w e r l i n e .

To celebrate all these successes CARITUS Harare and CAFOD successfully organised Sanitation Festival in Murewa from the 18th to the 19th of November 2016. With the programme having come to an end in December 2016, Caritas Harare believes that Murehwa centre will never be the same again. The organisation is looking forward to the growth of Murehwa into a town that everyone would want to be associated with. Waste Collection

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 11 Upgrade design and operation of a Municipal Solid Waste landfill

By Alicia Dauth, EnviroExperts-Africa The opportunity to utilize this existing quarry at the time was the most cost effective and Exhausted quarry sites can be converted practical option although minimal preparation into efficient and sustainable waste disposal and planning was considered prior to operations locations if modern engineering technology (i.e. environmental impact assessment). is developed. A country like Zimbabwe with a large mining industry could greatly Community knowledge should be made benefit from modern practices to manage available in the instance of converting a quarry the environmental challenges associated to LF to gain public support and involvement. with Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal The Pomona dump should educate residents of and long term monitoring necessary to limit Harare of the numerous health risks (i.e. air and environmental impacts. Quarries can become ground water pollution) associated with land suitable locations for landfills (LF) due to fills. As this dump already contains a large refuse already excavated areas with semi-permeable capacity it would be extremely challenging layers of soils although technical challenges to safely remove waste and implement an of incorporating engineering designs within engineered landfill design so these details could quarries can become a problematic task and only apply to an empty exhausted quarry such must include the input from many experts (i.e. as the one illustrated below. geologists, miners and scientists).

Pomona, an area on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe is known for nuisances (i.e. odor, vector, fires) caused by an open dump located near to its residential and farming estates. The dump is situated within an old granite quarry, adapted into a disposal facility to satisfy the waste disposal needs for the surrounding cities’ solid waste management requirements. Within the last few years the Pomona site has received increased publicity Exhausted quarry fit for Landfill conversion from media and residents due to its numerous and unstoppable fire breakouts, burning for The technical issues and cost of retrospectively weeks. The concern related to the lack of engineering the site would preclude such actions. control and mitigation measures required As such, recommendations relate to future to safely operate and maintain this site still developments of exhausted quarries. Many remains a big challenge. natural resources are available to Zimbabwe which can be utilized at affordable costs.

Pomona Landfill

12 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Diversification contributes to the success of Gwanda North Community Health Clubs

By Nomvula Woodend and Thulani Tshabangu, We had no sense of hygiene, as we had no Dabane Trust latrines, rubbish pits and pot racks”, said Mrs Phiri. She added that the local Village Health Workers always reported high incidence of Since the year 2011, Dabane Water diarrheal diseases. With the assistance of Ward Workshops, a leading WASH NGO has assisted 5 Environmental Health Technician and Village communities in Gwanda North, Matabeleland Health Worker the club was formed. Hlanzekile South to establish more than 50 Community Sizanani has a diverse membership of 16 that Health Clubs (CHCs) under the European comprises widows, the elderly, chronically ill, Union funded Water Facility Programme. The and the youths. This is reflective of the club’s CHCs are voluntary community based groups inclusivity and non-discriminatory approach that provide a platform for improving family when tackling health and hygiene issues. health through positive peer pressure in the process reducing WASH induced mortality and morbidity cases.

Of the clubs formed, Hlanzekile Sizanani in Ward 5 Enyandeni of Gwanda North stands out more prominently. The club was established in 2013 as an offshoot of a community irrigated garden project. According to the group pioneer, Mrs Senzeni Phiri, Hlanzekile Sizanani was formed after Dabane had conducted health and hygiene awareness sessions in the Ward. “We Mrs Phiri infront of a pot rack constructed with the help of realised that our village Sizanani was very dirty Hlanzeka Sizanani CHC with dippers and other rubbish strewn all over.

Hlanzekile Sizanani Health Club in action

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 13 Diversification contributes to the success of Gwanda North Community Health Clubs

Siphilisiwe Nsingo, a member of the club and kitchen wares. The group has also been testified that the club has assisted all its linked to another Dabane implemented project members to construct latrines through member- called Amalima. The project has provided cash contributions towards purchase of latrine the group with trainings in Disaster Risk construction materials. “Besides purchasing Reduction, Environmental Management and construction materials for members, we have the construction of Eco stoves and training assisted each other construct pot racks, hand in sustainable climate SMART agricultural washing facilities and rubbish pits”, she said. practices and . The CHC has made an impact to the Enyandeni community of Gwanda. It has positively Apart from these, Dabane Trust also trained influenced the formation of up to 10 other CHCs the group in Community Based Management, in Ward 5 which follow on its footsteps. Leadership for Transformation, Participatory Health and Hygiene Education and awareness The group has also engaged in door to door sessions on Gender and HIV and AIDS. These and community health and hygiene campaigns various trainings received by the group and to foster the adoption of appropriate health the diversified portfolio of activities has made and hygiene behaviours such as proper use of the group versatile and resilient. Hlanzekile latrines for excreta disposal, hand washing at Sizanani’s long term vision is to have Enyandeni critical times such as after using the toilet and community certified as an Open Defaecation home hygiene. The group has been effective in Free Zone where all households own and use these campaigns through the use of captivating toilets. The group has already lobbied the health and hygiene songs, drama and slogans. local leaders to pass by-laws that prohibit Hlanzekele Nyandeni group slogan is “Dubula the construction of new homesteads without idoti ihlanye” translated to mean shoot and a toilet structure. Mrs. Phiri said in Sizanani drive out dirt mercilessly. The group slogan is village only 13 households out of 36 had no common amongst the community members toilets and the club was working tirelessly lure and school children who chant it out every those outstanding households into constructing time there is a clean-up campaign or health their own latrines. and hygiene triggering session. Mrs Phiri added that the use of the slogan and drama has led to increased of awareness on health and hygiene issues amongst communities.

School children from Enyandeni Primary School have developed a duty roaster to pick up litter around the village every weekend to promote environmental hygiene. The club’s success is attributed to its ability to diversify group activities and to link with other community development initiatives. The group runs a Village Savings and Lending Scheme in which they contribute US$8 every month. Members of Hlanzeka Sizanani Health Club in song and dance The money is loaned to group members who repay it with a capped interest. The interest and the group savings are shared annually amongst the members for the purchase of health and hygiene enabling household items

14 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 SIRDC working with RDCs to create multi-sectoral GIS systems

By Dr K.S. Murwira, F. Matawa, G. Pachavo Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and F. Kuri Scientific and Industrial Research and Management (ZIPAM) in Darwendale. and Development Centre (SIRDC) The training covered sources of GIS data, spatial data types, coordinate systems, map Scientific and Industrial Research and projections, spatial data collection and entry Development Centre (SIRDC) through its Geo- including near-real time data collection, information and Remote Sensing Institute spatial databases, spatial data analysis and (GRSI) have assisted five local authorities map creation. It included theory and practical in Mashonaland West Province viz Chegutu, exercises to enable the participants to acquire Zvimba, Hurungwe, Sanyati and Mhondoro- hands on skills. After the training, each GIS Ngezi Rural District Councils with setting up team went back to implement a GIS pilot Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This project in their respective areas will enable the local authorities to collect, manage and produce spatial data of the entire Each local authority was provided with a district that include the location and distribution desktop computer and an A3 colour printer. of WASH facilities, industries, businesses, The GRSI installed GIS software and a Geo- and residential stands, including all other database on all the supplied computers. This infrastructure and natural resources. will serve as the official and central GIS data repository for the respective local authorities. The spatial database has specific access rights and passwords, audit trails and routine backup facilities. The data can be accessed by other staff from their workstations through the local area network.

The GIS desktop at Zvimba RDC The data collected during the pilot GIS project will be uploaded into the database. All the five local authorities have been trained The RDCs will also add the spatial data they with facilitation from the Welthungerhilfe are collecting for the Rural WASH Information led SELF project funded by the Australian Management System (RWIMS) as well as the Government and are now piloting the system ZINARA road survey to their Geo-Database, with technical support from GRSI. thereby providing an integrated district level GIS for development decision support. The The local authorities have each developed local authorities also have an aggregate server a District GIS Strategic Plan to help integrate to enable real-time data collection using mobile the GIS into their day to day work. The GIS devices including smart phones. strategic plans detail the scope of GIS in the organization, the objectives of the established An advanced GIS training is scheduled for GIS team, the planned activities and the 2017. In this training, the participants will use expected GIS outputs. the data they collected from the pilot project for the practical exercises. They will clean, analyse Each local authority has a GIS core team of and present data from the pilot survey. They at least five members consisting of the GIS will use this information for improved revenue focal person and four other members of staff collection from residents and businesses and who will be responsible for cascading GIS skills to make informed development decisions at to other personnel in the organization. The district level for WASH, roads, social services GIS teams were trained by the GRSI at the and new building developments

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 15 C-WASH Project for Lasting and Inclusive Water and Sanitation Facilities

By Petros Muzuva, DAPP Discussions held within the communities across the beneficiary districts revealed that The C-WASH project funded by USAID communities require services that are reliable and implemented by DAPP Zimbabwe in and affordable with minimum burden on users. Mutasa and Nyanga Districts reaching out This demand from communities calls for total to 4800 rural households and Zim-AHEAD in inclusion of all stakeholders in the design of the Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts reaching infrastructure. Resultantly, the latrines that are out to 3200 rural households in Manicaland being constructed are both gender sensitive Province is setting the standards in WASH and socially inclusive. For water supply, it’s an Infrastructure development. The project is issue of ready access enabling communities constructing 20 blocks of latrines with eight to withdraw sufficient quantities of water of squat holes each at 20 schools, subsidizing acceptable quality at any given time. the construction of household latrines for the vulnerable labour constrained households, The rehabilitation of water points and the supporting with expertise for construction of construction of water pans are all done in a 800 household latrines for those who are non- matter that allows the ready and sufficient labour constrained, repairing and rehabilitating access to clean and safe water by both humans boreholes and constructing water pans for the and livestock. The construction of water pans livestock. These facilities are specially designed 30m away from the perimeter fence protect to be lasting and inclusive to the needs of boreholes from contamination. Fencing of the the communities especially the needs of the water points also helps keep animals away traditionally excluded. from the water point to guard against any other forms of contamination.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care is part of the project assisting with water quality monitoring. The provision of water through rehabilitation of broken down boreholes also allows Dual Latrine Construction at Sherukuru Sec School in Ward 14, Mutasa Distict

A Completed dual latrine at Nyunga Pry in Ward 3, Chipinge District

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for the establishment of nutrition gardens at users are guaranteed of their privacy especially every rehabilitated borehole in line with the the girl child who enjoys the services under C-WASH Project’s quest to improve the dietary a closed toilet door. The design of school and diversity of the communities. household latrines follow a ‘dual mode’ where the latrine has to accommodate the needs of For Sanitation, the project is also committing the people living with disabilities, the girl child, some extra effort to ensure that latrines the boy child, the sick, the pregnant and the being constructed resample strategic tenets elderly through providing comfort during use. of safety, privacy, comfort and dignity. The The latrines have compartments that are big designs of latrines are ensuring safety because enough to accommodate a wheelchair. A raised they follow the recommended construction seat to allow the wheelchair bound user easy standards through inspection at every stage of and comfort of services; the people who are construction by the Ministry of Public Works. The visually impaired are aided by fitted hand rails where they can tap using their guides. The girl child has a girl friendly compartment with a fitted cupboard for the storage of sanitary wear, a mirror and a to aid menstrual hygiene Filling of the water pan: Even cattle enjoy the dignity and comfort of service management.

DID YOU KNOW?

The construction of water pans 30m away from the perimeter fence protect boreholes from contamination. Fencing of the water points also helps keep animals away from the water point to guard against any other forms of contamination.

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 17 Water: A Human Right or a Lucrative Business?

By Takudzwa Mushamba, Water Resources It is quite difficult to discuss Water, Sanitation and Hydraulic Engineering Consultant and Hygiene (WASH) issues separately due to the close link between the three constituent Zimbabwe is amongst a multitude of elements within the WASH concept. Recognising developing countries where investment in water as a human right is not new globally. Over water supplies and sanitation is desperately the years there have been discussions, scientific needed. There are still huge disparities in water papers, and conferences on this issue. Notably supply coverage in the country. Regardless of on 28 July 2010, through resolution 64/292, the various efforts by government and her the General Assembly explicitly development partners, Zimbabwe still has a recognised the human right to water and long way to go in ensuring sustainable water sanitation and acknowledged that the two are supply services in both rural and urban areas. essential to the realisation of all . Prior to this in November 2002, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment No. 15 on the right to water. Article one states that “the human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realisation of other human rights”… the right of everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable and physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use”.

Given such strong declarations one would wonder why we still have a gap in access to clean, safe and adequate water supplies in Zimbabwe. Over 20% of people living in Zimbabwe use unprotected water sources on a daily basis and an unknown percentage turn to unprotected water sources whenever there are water cuts in their areas. The next According to the 2015 update report on question then is, as Zimbabwe have we MDGs assessment by UNICEF and WHO, access fully adopted the “water as a human right to improved water supply in urban and rural concept?” I will quote various sections of the areas stands at 97% and 67% respectively. constitution that are related to water as a With the advent of SDGs the need to build on human right. Chapter 4 of the constitution of lessons learnt in the past 15 years in the sector Zimbabwe provides for the right to safe under cannot be overemphasized. Various players Article 77 which states that “Every person has have different views on whether water services the right to safe, clean and potable water that should be privatised managed by public entities. is suitable for drinking”. A key determinant of potential success in the water supply sector “Water is life” is a catchy statement and a is the presence of a solid plan and vision. It is strong declaration regardless of the fact that fundamental to understand the water supply the assertion became a cliché over the years. sector in a holistic manner and at the same Water management is an intricate and dynamic time critically analysing a proposed water process that requires a multitude of experts. management model from various angles.

18 WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 Water: A Human Right or a Lucrative Business?

It is high time that we should start asking limited to large scale water supply utilities, water ourselves questions around sustainable models trucking, borehole drilling and water bottling for water supply. What is the difference companies. However, government needs to between a public entity and a private entity in provide for an independent water regulation water supply with regards to service quality and for the sector. In general whether we decide performance? Private entities operate using to adopt privatisation or maintain the status strict business principles that entail making a quo, it still remains imperative for government profit for the services rendered. That allows to determine the financial autonomy of a private entities to easily access loans from service provider. Without proper systems in financial institutions. One key characteristic place revenue from water will continue to be of private water supply institutions is diverted and used for other purposes. There is benchmarking. Although this is not unique to also need for a clear strategy on the inclusion private run institutions they usually operate of the poor and marginalised if we recognise within a calculated risk margin. As a country water as a human right through creating a it is important to understand the Knowledge, balance between the business and the human Attitude, Behaviour and Practices (KABP) with right aspects of water management. regards to water supply services, payment and potential impact of using a specific water Regarding water as a human right without supply model on all water users. taking cognisance of the financial and economic aspect of the precious commodity Water is a driver for human development ultimately leads to collapse of systems. As and is essential for survival. These attributes professionals in the water sector it is our duty make it an interesting investment. In the early to bring such issues to the fore to stimulate 1990s Zimbabwe was one of the few countries discussions and encourage evidence based in Sub Saharan Africa that were progressive planning and strategy development in the with respect to water management. In present water management sector in Zimbabwe. There day Zimbabwe we have more water bottling are still huge misconceptions around the rights than we had a decade ago. This undoubtedly based approach to programming in water reflects on the current water management supply including the thinking that water should systems in Zimbabwe. When publicly managed be free or there is no place for private players water systems fail to meet the needs of people when water is regarded a basic human right. in terms of quality and quantity and business It is impossible to tackle this issue in a single people find an opportunity. We have also seen publication let alone in one article. However the advent of water trucking business and this seeks to stimulate discussion and debate drilling of both private and public boreholes in on how we view water management and its urban areas. The actual statistics or the impact related services in Zimbabwe. of these on water resources and the current water supply models is not well documented.

A widening economic imbalance and under performance of water supply systems imply that the poor have more difficulty accessing this precious resource. Water is and can be a business in various forms including but not Bottled water

WASH Connector Newsletter. ISSUE 5 19 New sustainable, inclusive, zero waste technology to treat gray water, industrial effluent and sewage

By Ephrem Whingwiri, Zim Earthworm Farms

Most urban areas have reticulated water and can afford a flush waste water. However, the majority of rural peri-urban and new settlements because they do not have running water. Rely on pit latrines commonly produce bad odor, pose emptying challenges when full, have no capacity to destroy harmful pathogens and heavy metals, posing the danger of underground water pollution. The urine and solid waste collected are generally drastically. In rural areas it enables household of no value to the people producing them. and institutions to install flush toilets inside In Zimbabwe the sewer systems adopted by homes or offices since the system eliminates many local authorities are too expensive and toilet odors. The urine which under normal not sustainable since most are failing resulting circumstances is lost underground or in a septic in raw sewage flowing down suburbs into open tank is cleaned and becomes excess water water bodies. Technologies which are low cost, which can be reused to flush the toilet or used effective in pathogen, heavy metal and odor to water a vegetable garden. removal are desirable. More importantly such technologies must create value out of the waste In this system which Zim Earthworm Farms water thereby curbing underground water has called Vermimo/mande waste water pollution. Earthworm technology possesses treatment system, earthworms detoxify, these virtues. deodorize and neutralize the waste water, resulting in a clear, odorless and pathogen free water which can be used to flush the The wish of many dry sanitation users is to toilet again or irrigate the garden. The system have a one day. These are easy to is closed with no underground pollution. The use and keep clean; they are highly popular, solid feaces are converted into a rich organic and they remove faecal material from the fertilizer called vermin compost which is also household environment. Unavailability of pathogen free, neutral and heavy metal free water in rural areas makes flush systems but rich in available plant nutrients. Waste difficult to maintain. The heralding of climate water from bathing and laundry is also collected change has also seen urban settlements and processed by earthworms. The solids are facing water supply shortages, thereby emptied once the first chamber is full which compromising sanitation delivery. can be once a year depending on number of people using the toilet. The solids will have been converted to vermin compost. Considering that flushing water does not need to be treated, Zim Earthworm Farms (Pvt) In June 2016 the Harare City Council Ltd. developed in 2013 a flush toilet (submitted Laboratory collected and analyzed samples for patenting) that employs the earthworm from the three chamber system. The samples technology to clean the waste water recycling taken were waste water that had been flushed it for reuse in the same toilet. Excess water and recycled in the established system for two can be used to irrigate crops. In urban areas years. Earthworm technology reduced BOD this toilet enables household to save on treated from 280.1 to 40.1, COD from 850.4 to 15.7, water and therefore reduce their water bills pH from 9.04 to 8.18, Permanganate Value

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from 18.0to 7.2 and total coliform bacteria from From the preceding discussion, the >1800 to 13. No E. coli bacteria was found in advantages of earthworm based waste water the system after 24 months of recycling. The treatment compared to other systems (ponds, quality of cleaned water was excellent. The activated sludge, BNR and biogas anaerobic reduction of Total Coliform from more than 1800 processes) are presented below: to 13 is a significant milestone and reflects the effectiveness of this technology • Simple & easy to operate & long life of plant Similar toilets based on earthworms are in • Low operating & maintenance costs use in India, Chile, etc. The Vermimo recycled • Low energy requirement water flush toilet does not discharge any water • No sludge formed into the ground. It is water tight. Therefore, it is • No chemicals used very suitable for homes or institutions in areas • No pre-treatment required for solids with high water tables. Contamination of well separation or borehole water from underground seepage • Little green house gas emissions is prevented. In new settlements, homes can • Treated water is very suitable for be clustered and be supplied by recycled water irrigation. from such a system. Bath and laundry water is • Completely hygienic &odorless process. collected, stabilized and treated in the system without killing earthworms. Where populations Rehabilitation of existing high tech systems are bigger, excess water can be used to irrigate may not sustainably address the challenges. gardens. The energy requirements of running Consideration should be given to alternative, such systems are very low and the manpower simple and ecological friendly systems like Zim requirements are very minimal. Two people Earth Worms which are deemed affordable in can manage several units while in other similar developing countries. sized systems many people are required to run the system.

For upscaling the technology to treat large volumes of raw sewage in suburbs, DID YOU KNOW? a decentralized approach is adopted with decentralized units at strategic points. The system can be deployed to manage polluted dams and manhole blockages discharging into streams. This system is sustainable because the power house of this technology Earthworms detoxify, is earthworms which reproduce themselves at a fast rate. The upscaling of this technology deodorize and neutralize can be undertaken using an inclusive business the waste water, resulting model. Because huge quantities of earthworms in a clear, odorless and would be needed to set up treatment plants in urban and rural areas, communities would pathogen free water be contracted to produce earthworms and sell which can be used to to projects. Zim Earthworm Farms is already flush the toilet again or buying earthworms from communities it trained irrigate the garden. in earthworm breeding.

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