Access to Water

Walking Through Freshly Harvested Rice Fields

Yesterday I gained an increased appreciation for easy access to water, as I walked through freshly harvested rice fields, along dry irrigation canals and through the forest to the source of the village gravity fed water system. A small dam has been constructed in a narrow part of the river and a few feet from the edge of the river is a concrete reservoir, which is the first point of entry for the water into the gravity fed system. The water then flows through two PVC pipes about 2 inches wide, downstream about 100 metres to a second reservoir which contains a very basic filter system. From this second reservoir the water travels about 3 km through one 2 inch PVC pipe to the village. The majority of the time the pipe is above ground and simply lays in or along the irrigation canal. Once the water reaches the village it enters a large concrete holding tank that was about half full when I visited.

Learning More About the System

In 2009 a government project provided assistance to the villagers to build this gravity fed system. At that time there were about 35 families in the village, but that number has since doubled and the village expects significant numbers of families to move to the village in the coming year and so wonders how it will be able to provide water to all the families.

After the water enters the village water tank, it is disbursed to five communal tap stands, initially intended to be shared by about 7 families. Ideally the village would now like to have at least 11 tap stands to make it easier for everyone to access water.

As we stood around and talked with the villagers about their gravity fed water system, I recognized there are many challenges for ensuring this system is sustainable long term.

One severe rain storm with lots of debris washed down the river could potentially destroy the whole system in the river, leaving the village without access to water.

With no village building codes, families end up building permanent concrete homes directly over the pipes bringing the water to the village water tank, making repairs very difficult.

Village water management systems are in place; however, the community does not seem to be able to collect sufficient fees from the villagers to maintain and develop the system as needed.

This system provides increased access to water; however, it still does not provide a clean source of water for families.

Second Reservoir

I’m reminded how many systems need to work together effectively for families to have access to clean water in this rural village in Laos.