Project: "Maji Safi Maisha Bora" (Safe Water, better life)

Country & region/location: Kenya, Lake Victoria - Siaya County

Category: Energy & Water and Agriculture

The water and sanitation challenges faced in Kenya are profound, particularly in rural areas where access to safe and clean water remains limited. About 38% of the 50 million Kenyans rely on inadequate water sources such as ponds, shallow wells, and surface water from lakes and rivers. Additionally, nearly half of the population lacks basic sanitation solutions. Rural communities often face difficulties connecting to piped water infrastructure and lack access to safe drinking water sources like boreholes within a reasonable distance. Even when improved water sources like boreholes are available, the water quality often falls short of meeting WHO standards. Consequently, communities are left with the difficult choice of either consuming unsafe water, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases, or resorting to boiling water using firewood and charcoal, which in turn contributes to environmental pollution.

This project is aimed at enhancing livelihoods and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Siaya County by ensuring sustainable access to safe water for communities living near Lake Victoria. OffgridSun successfully completed the first phase by upgrading an old pipeline using innovative solar energy technology to draw water from the lake with a 45 kWh offgrid solar system, purify it through controlled chlorination, and distribute it via solar-powered smart water kiosks along a 24 km pipeline, benefitting approximately 25,000 people.

The second phase, supported by the AE2 CSR Fund, will extend the pipeline from 24 km to 40 km, reaching unserved areas and installing 10 additional solar-powered water kiosks. This expansion is projected to provide safe water access to another 25,000 people, ensuring appropriate access to safe water near their residences.

The water system is owned by PENWA, a women-led community-based organization in Kenya, operating in collaboration with OffgridSun. To ensure the project's economic sustainability, two primary revenue streams have been identified:

1. Water sales: The water will be sold at an affordable price to ensure universal access. The payment system, managed by the Lorentz smart water kiosk software through mobile money transactions, minimizes the risk of revenue loss and theft.
2. Carbon credit sales: The project generates carbon credits by reducing emissions through the provision of safe water. These credits will be sold to support the project's financial sustainability.

By focusing on equitable water access and leveraging innovative technology, this project not only addresses immediate water needs but also promotes local ownership, environmental sustainability, and economic viability, ultimately uplifting the quality of life for the targeted communities.

Expected results:

• 65.000.000 litres of safe water are going to be distributed per year to approximately 10.000 households (equivalent to approx 50.000 people);
• 16 km of water pipeline built, totalizing 40km;
• 10 solar-powered smart water kiosks deployed along the pipeline, of a total of 20;
• At least 95% of the targeted population using safe water will not suffer from water-borne diseases;
• 30 minutes maximum time for a round trip that an average family will take to fetch safe water;
• At least 10, of a total of 30, permanent jobs will be created in the daily operation of the water system (20 water kiosks attendants & guardians, 2 intake system guards, 4 technicians, 2 financial officers, 1 facility manager, 1 assistant facility manager);
• 15.000 tCO2 avoided annually because the availability of safe drinking water will eliminate biomass (wood and charcoal) fuel combustion for boiling water to purify before drinking;
• 7.378 tonnes of firewood will be saved annually thanks to the project

Impact (results)