This document summarizes a solar-powered community water supply project constructed in Uganda as a social responsibility initiative of the nearby Kyambura hydropower project. The water supply project provides water to 381 households and 1996 people through a solar-powered deep well and distribution system including 8 public water access points. Community participation was emphasized in planning and establishing management committees to oversee operation and maintenance of the system through a small user fee. The project aims to ensure a sustainable clean water source for the community near the hydropower project.

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Solar-powered deep well community water supply scheme in Uganda: A
gift from Kyambura small hydropower project
Samarakoon Banda. (B.Sc. (Eng.) Hons, P.G.Dip. (H&T Eng.), C. Eng., MIE (SL))
Consulting Engineer (Hydro power & Structural), No. 174/7, Balika Niwasa Road,
Rukmale, Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka.
E-mail: sam64ep@yahoo.com
Upul Pinto
Director, Ziba Pvt Ltd, Uganda.
E-mail: pinto@engcl.com
Category: Water Resources: Availability, Management, Quality
Keywords: Small hydropower, community water supply, stakeholders
1. ABSTRACT
A solar-powered deep well community water supply project constructed as a social responsibility project of
Kyambura hydropower project in Kyambura, Kasese district in Uganda was gifted to the community on 22
nd
March 2019. The water supply project supply water to 380 households (1291 people) and constructed with USD.
160,000.00. the funds for the project were allocated through the Kyambura small hydropower construction
budget.
The communities where water resources are available for stakeholders, sometimes, suffer due to lack of
domestic water facilities. If the authorities approving small hydropower schemes could discuss with developers
to allocate social responsibility budget, then it is possible to implement community water supply projects along
with the private small hydropower projects. These community water supply projects can be carried out as
separate or integrated into the small hydro projects.
As the small hydropower projects are implemented by private funding, the integration requires proper
understanding between the stakeholders. The direct involvement of local authorities and local leaders, positive
approach of the local community and water supply authority with the small Keywords developers is a critical
factor in implementation of such a project.
This paper discusses implementation & maintenance process, the problems encountered, the support given by
the local community and local authority to make the Kyambura community water project a success and
sustainable.

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2. INTRODUCTION
The construction of Kyambura Hydro Power plant in Kirugu Sub-county, Rubirizi District in Uganda has had a
wide range of effects on the communities within the project belt and the neighboring areas. One of such impacts
is accessibility to water, especially for domestic use. Whereas the majority of the community members used to
fetch water from River Kyambura, this was affected by the alterations made on the river for the dam
construction.
People from Kaberengye A, Kaberengye B and Omukabare A communities used unsafe, untreated water from
river Kyambura. Untreated river water was carried in trucks to their villages, while some villagers used water
from other stagnant and unclean sources, which expose them to diseases like bilharzias, typhoid, cholera,
diarrhea and other water-borne diseases. Some other villagers walked long distances of up to 5 kilometers to
fetch water from Lake Karia while some go to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation Public Water Taps.
Some people have lost lives through drowning while fetching water from River Kyambura, especially women and
children.
It was therefore considered essential to construct a safe water supply scheme to serve villages of Kaberengye
A, Kaberengye B and Omukabare A, which are affected by the on-going construction of the Kyambura Hydro
Power plant. Several alternative schemes were evaluated with interest in identifying the most feasible system
that can serve the communities mentioned above with safe water. A Solar-powered Deep Production Borehole
System was selected as the most viable especially in terms of operation and maintenance for sustainability.
3. DETAILS OF THE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME
3.1Selection of scheme
Few alternative water supply schemes were studied to select the best scheme. They are,
A. Supply water from river Kyambura through pumping system: this scheme revealed
complications associated with water treatment. The water quality of Kyambura river has color with
the presence of suspended solid particles which needs a complete water treatment process. After
construction, the maintenance cost is being high this alternative was considered as not sustainable.
B. Gravity flow system from Kyambura River based at Kyambura Bridge II as an in-take point: This
alternative was not viable because the gravity flow system based on Kyambura River as a source
does not have enough head to allow construction of a treatment plant, reservoir tank and other
associated facilities and later on deliver water to the intended beneficiaries.
C. Kyarukoona stream which originates from Maroro hill spring: Although a potential source of clear
water with a good yield (of over 1.5 liters per second) was discovered, this alternative was not viable
as the elevation of the source is lower than the affected community.
D. The solar-powered deep production borehole system was then selected as the best water supply
scheme comparing the difficulties of implementation of the other alternatives.

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3.2Beneficiaries of the scheme
This project was primarily targeting 1,291 people in the villages of Kaberengye A, Kaberengye B, and
Omukabare A who are directly affected by construction of Kyambura Hydro Power plant. Although the people of
Ntunga village are not affected by the construction of Kyambura Hydro Power plant, they have been considered
to benefit from this project as the proposed production borehole is located in Ntunga village. As the water
scheme infrastructure was built on the land of people in Ntunga village and there was no have provisions for
land compensation. The understanding and motivation to give up their land was based on the assumption that
they would benefit directly from the water project by getting at least 3 taps in their village. Because of these
reasons, Tonga village was included in the scheme and 1996 people were benefitted from the scheme.
Target Village Number of Households Number of People
1 Kaberengye A 85 473
2 Kaberengye B 63 307
3 Ntunga A 139 705
4 Omukabare A 94 511
TOTAL 381 1,996
3.3 The scheme design
3.3.1 Storage tank capacity
The design of the water project was carried out in accordance with the Directorate of Water Development,
Ministry of Water and Environment, Water Supply Design Manual (2013). The project was designed to serve
the population projected in 2038. The current population is 1996 and the projected population was calculated as
3,605. According to the Water Supply Design Manual (2013), The average consumption figure for the largely
domestic consumption lies between 20 l/c/d (0.6 m3 per month for stand pipes) . The “Average Day Demand
“for a sand pipe is being 20 l/c/d, the water demand in year 2038 was estimated as 3605x20 = 72,100 l/d.
In accordance with the Water Supply Design Manual (2013), the “Maximum Day Demand” (MDD) is
estimated by increasing the “Average Day Demand” by a “Peak Day Factor. For the scheme design, a
“Peak Day Factor “of 2 was adopted. The MDD will therefore be 144 cubic meters (m^
3
) per day. Storage
capacity requirement is 30% of the projected MDD, which is 43.2 m^
3
which approximates to a tank of 50
m^
3
.The image - 01 provide the details of the tank constructed.

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Image 1: The storage tank details
3.3.2 Selection of the storage tank location
The location of the tank was selected taking into consideration
 the necessary head to maintain the required pressures in the distribution system
 to minimize pumping distances and height
3.3.3. Design of the pipe network
In the design of the pipe system, the following factors were considered. As far as possible, pipes have been
located along existing roads, footpaths or other established routes minimizing road crossing. All pipes were
of HDPE except for the exposed pipes at the pump house, reservoir tank, and in valve boxes where GI
pipes were specified.
HDPE pipe 75mm PN10, 1000 m was used as supply pipe to the storage tank. HDPE 50mm PN10,800 m,
HDPE 50mm PN16, 2000m and HDPE 25mm PN10,500m were used in the pipe network.

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3.3.4 Capacity of the pump and the solar power supply
Solar power panels of 11.5 KW and a pump of
using the pump.
.
3.3.5 Public Stand Points (PSPs)
The scheme was expected to distribute the water to the community using stand
Public Stand Post (PSP) were selected considering the population of the village and public areas where people
visit for the services. At the villager’s
suitable locations.
a. PSP 1 – at the District
b. PSP 2 – at Kamukama
elevation 1207 m)
c. PSP 3 – at Kato’s house in Ntunga A village
d. PSP 4 – at Ssengoro’
e. PSP 5 – at Omwikomero in Kaberengye A village
f. PSP 6 – at Kaberengye Primary School in Kaberengye A village
g. PSP 7 – at Kabuturaki’
h. PSP 8 – at Rugwa-Nobuta
Image 2: The deep well pump house
3.3.4 Capacity of the pump and the solar power supply
KW and a pump of 6 KW installed. The flow rate of 8 m3 per hour can be pump
The scheme was expected to distribute the water to the community using stand pipes. The
selected considering the population of the village and public areas where people
consultative meetings, the following PSP locations
District Shallow Well in Ntunga A Village ( at elevation 1206 m)
at Kamukama’s house in Ntunga A village, Omwikomero Trading Center
s house in Ntunga A village ( at elevation 1207 m)
’s house in Omukabare A village ( at elevation 1177m
at Omwikomero in Kaberengye A village (at elevation 1220 m)
at Kaberengye Primary School in Kaberengye A village ( at elevation
’s house in Kaberengye A village (at elevation 1163m
Nobuta’s house in Kaberengye B village (at elevation
house and solar panals
e of 8 m3 per hour can be pump
. The locations for the
selected considering the population of the village and public areas where people
were agreed as most
( at elevation 1206 m)
Omwikomero Trading Center ( at
1177m)
at elevation 1220m)
1163m)
1163m)

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Image 3: A water outlet post (PSP)
Image 4: The water meter and the valve to regulate the supply
Image 5: Sample of water delivering to the PSP

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Image 6: The layout of the distribution system and location of PSP
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The public participation for the water supply scheme was sought from the inception. Consultative community
meeting was held on 14
th
August 2018 at the planning stage with the participation of village leaders and
Kyambura power project management.
The village leaders participated in the meeting were,
 Chairman Omwikomero Trading Center/ Local Council One Chairperson, Kaberengye
 Local Council One Chairperson, Kaberengye A
 Secretary for Local Council One Committee
 Local Council III Chairperson Kirugu Sub County, Karugaba Frank
 Kirugu Sub County Local Council V Councilor, Tushabe Emmanuel
 The project contractor, John Mubangizi
 Kirugu Sub County Local Council III Chairperson, Karugaba Frank
 A representative from Kyambura power project
 43 villageres
PSP LOCATIONS

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Image 7
At the initial consultative meeting
projects. The topics discussed were,
 The sustainability and economy
 Employments for local labor as
them handle some minor repairs
 Discussed the importance of having a
be sustained.
 The practice of paying a small
paying that small fee for maintenance
 Establishment of water user committees
 Encouraged community members
issues related with the proposed
asked during the meeting and answers to them.
7: The participation to consultative meeting
he initial consultative meeting, the discussions were mainly focused on sustainability of the power
he topics discussed were,
and economy of a deep bored well over the river water require costly treatment
as a way of gaining employment as well as gaining basic
repairs as part of operations and maintenance.
having a strong operations and maintenance plan for
a small water user-fee for scheme maintenance. They agreed
for maintenance as they fetch the water.
committees and water tap attendants at each public water
members to discuss openly and freely on the maintenance
with the proposed water project. The table provides the summaries of the
answers to them.
sustainability of the power
a deep bored well over the river water require costly treatment
gaining basic skills to enable
plan for the scheme if it is to
agreed with the model of
water tap.
maintenance plan and any other
the summaries of the questions

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S/N QUESTION RESPONSE
1. Tap stands has not been
provided in the area and yet
this area has been blocked
from accessing to fetching
water from the river
Meeting was met to share views of the people. Developer
will be informed about need for an additional tap stand.
District may also consider extension of water tap stand
once the scheme is completed by the Developer.
2.
Kyeizogombe Primary School
needs a tap stand.
Current scheme plan and budget cannot aid all tap stands
needed by the District. Priority will be given to the most
affected communities that have been blocked from
accessing the river.
3.
Will land affected by the water
scheme be paid for their land Community members agreed that all land to be used by the
water scheme should be availed since co funding is
needed to support the construction of the water scheme.
4. Can I have private water
connection from the community
water scheme?
Private connections are supported once assessed and
approved by the elected water user committees.
5.
Will a road be created to enable
construction of the water scheme
No road will be constructed, material will be carried
Manually, will be an employment opportunity.
6.
One tap stand is not sufficient an
additional tap stand is needed
Sub County LCV Councilor requested that all additional tap
stands may be supported by Rubirizi
Local Government in their ongoing plan to extend clean
and safe water
5. OPERATION & MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHEME
The water project was completed and handed over to the community on 22 nd March, 2019. The responsibility
of operation and maintenance was taken over by the central committee and PSP water user committee formed
to manage the scheme. As agreed at the community consultative meeting, two committees were formed. One is
water user committee to oversee one PSP which has five members and another committee to oversee all the
PSP as central committee. The committee at the PSP level reports to the central committee.
The PSP water user committee is having five persons (three women and two men) from the area where one
PSP is served. The five members of the commute should choose a reliable person to supervise the tapsin a
timely manner. He should be able to handle all characters of persons, ensuring that locals access the tap
and be able to keep the money collected very well and hand it over to other staff who will take it to the bank.
The money collected should tally with the meter readings. The tap attendant may be rewarded with 40 L of
water on a daily basis as well as 10% of the money collected in a month as stipend / allowance. All water tap

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committees should select seven persons who should select a technical person to maintain the scheme,
supervise record taking and meter reading and banking of monies collected.
As agreed at the community consultative meeting, a payment of Ugandan Shilling 50 (USD 0.01) for 20 L is
being charged as a fee to maintain the water supply scheme. The community members were educated that the
user fee is a maintenance cost to sustain the scheme.
The central committee with seven members were formed. The central committee is having the authority over the
management and maintenance, supervision of the PSP and financial management. It has a Chairman, vice
Chairman, Secretary and treasurer. The PSP committee also represent at the central committee. A local
politician, a religious leader, a lady to represent women and a youth to represent youth are selected to the
central committee. The central committee is meeting every month to discuss the issues with the water supply
scheme. The Central commitee authorize and engage in urgent repairs of the pipe line cause due to accidential
damages by farmers or any other means.
6. CONCLUSION
The community water supply project in Kyambura small hydro power project area was successfully completed
and donated to the community on 22 nd March 2019. The project development company ZIBA Ltd was very
keen on funding this scheme as this is a life quality improvement project. As a result of the water supply project,
people in the project area get clean water for drinking and cooking. The water born diseases such as diarriah,
typhoid cholera so on are less among the people.
The community leaders in the area, religious leaders and villagers were keen on the implementation of this
project. They supported in acquisition of lands free of charge, forming committees to manage the schemes and
holding the post in the committees. The commitment of ZIBA Ltd, villagers and community leaders made the
project a success and sustainable.
The concept of integration of rural water supply scheme with small hydro power project improves the public
relations with the small hydro power project as well as the quality of life of the people affected or living in the the
project area.
7. REFERENCES
1. Integration of rural water supply schemes with small hydro power projects- Proceedings of WAC - 2017.
2. Directorate of Water Development, Ministry of Water and Environment, Water Supply Design Manual
(2013)
3. Sustainable Management of Small Water Supply Systems in Africa Practitioners’ Workshop Report,
October 6-8, 2010.
https://www.wsp.org/sites/wsp.org/files/publications/Sustainable_Management_of_small_water_supply_
systems_in_Africa_English.pdf