Specifications:
- Saint François Coll Vicariate | 2025–2026
- Area: Healthcare
- Implemented by: Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation
Benin faces significant challenges in access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas. According to UNICEF and the WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), in 2022 only 70% of the rural population had access to basic water services, compared to 91% in urban areas, highlighting a substantial territorial gap. The lack of safe water critically affects healthcare facilities: the World Health Organization emphasizes that an adequate and reliable water supply is a minimum requirement for maintaining hygiene standards, ensuring safe childbirth, and preventing infections.
In Kpakpamè, a rural community in the municipality of Za-Kpota (Zou Department), the situation is even more severe. The village relies on a single central water storage tank, which is insufficient and poorly maintained. Saint Martin de Porres Health Center, serving approximately 3,000–4,200 people each year, frequently experiences water shortages whenever the borehole system fails due to power outages. These interruptions seriously affect childbirth services, wound care, cleaning, and other essential healthcare activities.
In response to this challenge, rainwater harvesting and storage offer a practical and sustainable solution, recognized by the World Health Organization when appropriate safety measures are implemented, including filtration systems, sealed tanks, first-flush diverters, and regular maintenance protocols. This approach makes it possible to take advantage of seasonal heavy rains and build strategic water reserves for emergencies.
The project
The project consists of the installation of four 5,000-liter plastic water tanks connected to the health center’s rainwater harvesting system through gutters and piping. The tanks will be placed on a masonry platform and equipped with filtration systems and airtight covers.
The collected water will be used for:
- Hygiene and cleaning of facilities and equipment.
- Laundry and washing of utensils (following appropriate disinfection procedures).
- Toilet flushing.
- Handwashing using filtered water.
The system will not be used directly for drinking water or medical procedures without additional purification.
Objectives
General
- Ensure continuous access to water at Saint Martin de Porres Health Center.
- Improve hygiene and sanitation conditions for patients and healthcare staff.
- Reduce the risk of interruptions to healthcare services caused by water shortages.
Specific
- Install a safe and sustainable rainwater storage system.
- Extend the lifespan of the main water pump by reducing intensive use.
- Comply with Ministry of Health requirements regarding emergency water reserves for a minimum of three days.
- Raise awareness and train staff on the proper operation and maintenance of the system.
Beneficiaries:
Direct beneficiaries
- Patients receiving care: between 250 and 350 per month (approximately 3,000–4,200 per year).
- Family members and visitors: approximately 2,000 per year.
- Healthcare personnel: 34 staff members.
Indirect beneficiaries: residents of Kpakpamè, neighboring communities, and users from nearby urban areas.
Total project budget: €7,419.31