The document summarizes ways that households in sub-Saharan Africa develop self-supplied water sources through methods like wells, rainwater harvesting, and springs. It discusses how households incrementally improve their water systems over time. It also outlines three ways self-supply can be supported: 1) through technical advisory services and guidelines, 2) by strengthening the private sector, and 3) with policies and budgets to aid households in construction and supply improvement. The document promotes a new book on self-supply and filling gaps in public water provision.

1. Self-Supply made
simple
A pictorial Sub-Saharan
Summary in 10 slides
Sally Sutton
http://bit.ly/SelfSupply
DOWNLOAD THE BOOK

2. Self-financing is stimulated by powerful push factors
Long queues, even into the evening, too many
users, too many breakdowns
Too far and too steep
to collect water
No control over supply, others don’t
respect rules
The greatest push factors to develop your own supply are the inconvenience and unreliability of
alternatives. Community water supply and self-supply are often complementary, so adding to resilience.

3. Main affordable ways of making a basic household supply
Between 7 and 9 million family wells have been dug or drilled across the SSA regions in rural areas. Urban
and rural populations using their own groundwater supply exceed 130 million, not including sharers.

4. Other ways: Some households make rainwater collecting cisterns.
Some get together as a community and protect a spring.
14 million use Rainwater harvesting for drinking water
Rainwater harvesting is expensive, generally beyond the pocket of many families, and not shared with
neighbours. Viable only where groundwater or surface water are not available.
Springs – Not an on- premises source but with
potential for piping near or into houses.

5. As with building a house,
improvement is done little by little in affordable steps
Progressing incrementally allows choice in the way forward, and allows poorer households to get started.
Moving upwards depends on knowing the next step or knowing someone who does. Over half of rural
family wells qualify as improved. Over 80% of urban ones do. But 155 million people still use unimproved
groundwater . Few treat their water to make it safe, but it is another step on the ladder.

6. Small changes can make a big difference over time.
Isaac Kalundu in Kaoma, Zambia dug his own well, sunk a
drum at the top, added a lid to keep out rain, animals, and
dust. He made his own rope and windlass, and a small
irrigation system. He is proud of what he did without help
because he likes solving problems. He supplies his neighbours
for free and grows vegetables and makes windlasses to sell.
Abdulrahman Zongo lives in peri-urban Kofridua, Ghana. He dug a
well and started by lifting water with a rope and bucket, but over
several years built his water supply into a small business which can
pipe water to neighbouring houses as well as into his guesthouse.
Guests are happy to pay more for convenient water.

7. Pull factors – Supply convenience and multiple uses.
Livestock watering is easier and
increases my herd and its health
I can make bricks and sell them I can grow and sell cabbages all year
My beehives give me twice as much honey
now my bees can get water easily
I spend less time getting water for household
chores and more time making mats to sell.
Having your own well tends to lead to better food security and more income – a springboard to rural
development.
Jacana
We have more time for childcare and even time
to relax

8. Self-Supply support 1:
Government/NGO providing technical advisory services, research,
construction and product guidelines
How big a tank
do I need for
rainwater?
How much
would a pump
cost?
Is there a pump
that can give me
enough water to
pipe into my
house?
Is there enough
water under the
ground near my
house?
What can I do
to be sure of
safe water for
my children?
I have so many questions and no-one to ask. I need SUPPORT

9. Self-Supply Support 2:
Government/NGOs strengthen private sector capacity
Government can SUPPORT SELF SUPPLY services through training, marketing/ promotion, quality
control to ensure private sector support of good quality can be found.
Can I get training
to be a driller/
well digger/ to
make pumps?
Can I get a loan
to buy
equipment?
What new
technologies are
available? Are
they officially
approved?
Are traders
giving me
suitable, good
quality
products?
How can I promote
my business? Can
extension workers
help?
I need to learn
how to run a
business

10. Self-Supply Support 3: Policies and budgets aimed to support
households in supply improvement / construction, through 1 and 2
I need government to SUPPORT SELF-SUPPLY, with policies which don’t mean I am left
behind, but we work together to get safe water for everyone.

11. If you want to know more
‘Self-supply, filling the gaps in public water supply provision’ by Sally Sutton with John
Butterworth is published 15 February 2021, free download, or paperback or hardback copies
available from
http://bit.ly/SelfSupply
Explore the potential for self-supply and its support in your country/organisation
programmes.
Publicise and participate and bring your champions to the launch event, 25 March 2021.
Develop new activities or projects
Contact us for any information
• Matthias Saladin matthias.saladin@skat-foundation.ch
• Sally Sutton sesutton17@gmail.com
• John Butterworth butterworth@ircwash.org