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Case Studies
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Improving the flow of cleaner water in DR Congo

In 2000, Oxfam, funded by DFID, constructed 37 water pumps in the neighbourhood, which is one of the most disadvantaged areas of the city. And between May 2006 and April 2007, DFID has supported Oxfam with almost £1 million to carry out similar water projects in North and South Kivu in eastern DRC.

Mayi oyo ezali malamu – “This water is good”

‘Mama’ Sophie Mena has lived in the Ndjili Kilambo district of Kinshasa for most of her life. She survived the civil war and still suffers from the severe neglect of public services, such as the provision of drinking water. The cleaner water from the new pump has measurably improved her family’s health. She said:

"The national water system, which should serve this area, is very bad. The water only flows at 3am when, because there is no electric lighting here, it is very dangerous for dwellers in the area to go out. And the water is dirty and makes us sick.

"During the day we can take water from the spring, but this is not properly maintained and also not safe to drink."

"Without this pump we would have suffered a lot. Once, before the new pump was installed, the water from the national system stopped flowing for an entire month, and we had to walk a long way to fetch water. Before the pump, my children would often have diarrhoea or amoebas, but now they are ill less often."

The system has not been without its problems, however. Committees of local people were set up to manage each of the pumps. A small levy was taken from those using the pump, which was meant to be saved for buying chlorine and paying for any repairs.

As transparency has often been a challenge in DRC, some committee members have used this revenue for their own benefit, leaving no funds to maintain the pumps. Oxfam is working with the committees to try and close this loophole and ensure that the water continues to flow as it should.

Key facts

DFID currently undertakes work with Oxfam on water pumps in North and South Kivu. Funding for this amounts to £997,480 between May 2006 and April 2007.
37 wells and 142 water points were installed, and 10 water springs protected with DFID funding between 1999 and 2002
Each pump provides water for around 1000 people. In total 180,000 people have benefited from cleaner, more reliable water.

12 March, 2007