SHOFCO aerial water supply

Providing water to informal settlements via overhead pipes

Image sourced from: www.shofco.org
Categories
Themes
Water: Distribution
Water: Storage
Background

In the absence of piped water, many informal settlement residents across Africa purchase water from water vendors. The prices they charge can make water unaffordable to the poor. The quality of this water is seldom controlled, and can sometimes result in contamination and disease. To address these challenges, SHOFCO implemented an overhead water distribution system in the Kibera informal settlement. Although SHOFCO was founded in 2004, the first aerial pipe was implemented in 2016.

Approach

SHOFCO extracts ground water from deep boreholes, treats it to make it safe for use, and then distributes it to kiosks via an overhead network of pipes and storage tanks. The elevated distribution system reduces tampering, and the high visibility of leaks ensures that they are repaired swiftly, helping to save water. In 2021, they had 24 water kiosks located throughout Kibera.

Social Impact

SHOFCO provides water that is affordably priced and safe to consume, thus improving water access for informal settlement dwellers and eliminating the dangers posed by contaminated water.

Environmental Impact

The overhead water distribution system can be considered more water efficient than underground piping as leaks are immediately visible, and can be fixed swiftly to avoid further loss of water.

Success Factors
Evidence
Evolution
Challenges
Factbox
Founded in

2016

Project type
Product
Founded by

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO)

Non-profit organisation
Founding Organisation Two

No items found.
Founding Organisation Three

Non-profit organisation
Operated by

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO)

Households reached
UN Sustainable Development Goal(s)
Last edited on:
May 23, 2023
Shared on:
May 23, 2023

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