Clean water for Madagascar
Our climate project in Madagascar
Clean water project in Madagascar
Only five percent of the population in rural Madagascar have access to drinking water, others obtain their water from open, hand-dug, and mostly shallow wells. This water is often contaminated and causes diarrhea, a deadly disease responsible for Madagascar’s high infant mortality rate. Boiling water can help against this, however most people can only do this on an open fire, which causes other, respiratory health risks.
For this climate project, a simple and inexpensive water supply using solar pumps was set up. Water from real and deep drilled wells is pumped into high water reservoirs. This water is then used to feed public wells, sanitary facilities, and the irrigation of fields. The project has already targeted 5 villages, connecting 6,500 inhabitants to this water supply.
The project saves CO2 emissions that would otherwise occur when boiling the water. Above all, however, it prevents diseases that have long been conquered elsewhere in the world - and it enables farmers to cultivate their fields, feed their livestock, and feed themselves and their families. The project therefore has a wide array of social and economic benefits as well.
Contribution to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)
No poverty
Free drinking water for families and farmers who in addition save on firewood
Zero Hunger
Irrigation of fields and supply of livestock - the farmers secure the yields of their subsistence agriculture
Good Health and Well-Being
Clean drinking water reduces the most common diseases
Clean Water and Sanitation
6,500 people receive free drinking water, water for their fields and livestock, as well as for sanitary facilities
Affordable and Clean Energy
The water system is powered by solar energy
Climate Action
The project saves about 10,000 tons of CO2 per year, which would otherwise be caused by boiling water with firewood
How does technology for clean drinking water help fight global warming?
Two billion people in the world have no access to clean drinking water. Many families have to boil their drinking water over an open fire, resulting in CO2 emissions and deforestation. Where water can be cleaned chemically (e.g. with chlorine) or mechanically (with filters), or where groundwater can be provided from wells, these CO2 emissions can be avoided.