Bringing water back to Mupunda village

When a waterpoint breaks down, the impact on a community extends far beyond access to water. Families are forced to spend more time collecting water, daily routines are disrupted and concerns about safety and health grow. In Mupunda village, Zambia, this became a reality when the community’s only waterpoint stopped working

For 69-year-old Delia and other households in Mupunda, the village handpump had been a reliable source of safe water for years. But problems began to emerge. Residents found themselves having to pump repeatedly before any water appeared, and when it did, it often came out rusty. As the internal pipes continued to deteriorate, the situation worsened until the waterpoint failed completely.

Without a functioning waterpoint, families had no choice but to collect water from a hand-dug well in a neighbouring village 30 minutes away. The walk was long and challenging as the well was located in a low-lying area where the ground becomes muddy and slippery during the rainy season. Community members worried about the risks of travelling to the well, especially for children, who often avoided the journey because of the difficult conditions.

Things changed for the better when Village Water and partner ECHO repaired the waterpoint by replacing worn-out pipes, restoring efficient water flow. The results were immediate. Families no longer had to pump repeatedly before water came out, and the issue of rusty water was resolved. For Delia, the difference was remarkable.

“Now it is very easy, one pump and the water comes out,” she explains.

The experience has also highlighted the importance of maintaining community water infrastructure. A waterpoint is a shared resource that requires care and collective responsibility to continue serving future generations. 

“Water is life,” says Delia. “Thishandpump serves us all, and we must not take it for granted.”

Mupunda’s experience shows how quickly access to safe water can be lost when a waterpoint breaks down. By becoming a monthly giver, you can help communities prevent small issues from becoming major problems. £25 a month could train an Area Pump Minder, providing local expertise to help keep waterpoints working and safe water flowing. https://villagewater.org/monthly-giving/