There is Ongoing Project Follow-Up
All Lifewater Canada projects are tracked in a database custom-designed by Ideas Computer in Thunder Bay, ON. Using this database, we track key information including:
- When wells were drilled and community toilets were built
- When facilities were last inspected
- Hand pump repair and maintenance history
- Names and cell phone numbers for trained village Well Caretakers and Repair Technicians
- Maintenance contract information (type, payments received, etc.
Villagers can maintain their water and sanitation facilities in any of the following ways:
- Take care of them entirely by themselves
- Buy the parts they need from Lifewater "at cost" and do the work themselves
- Wait until their pump breaks and then contact Lifewater to repair it (and be charged a small fee for parts and labour)
- Sign a flat-fee contract (in Liberia only) for the Lifewater crew to perform scheduled preventative maintenance
Sometimes, village-level maintenance fails and pumps sit broken or toilets become filthy and unused. Lifewater then conducts a health and hygiene workshop to ensure people understand the connection between sickness, unsafe water, and poor sanitation.
Lifewater then offers to repair their facilities but cost-recovery fees are charged.
Lifewater Canada volunteers, paying their own travel costs, periodically visit previously completed projects to observe long-term maintenance and use.
Read more about our strategy:
