Piped water supply in a phased approach: a case study from Mozambique

A general assumption in the rural water supply sector is that investments should be made with a long time-frame and sustainability in mind. However, in reality it is difficult to access sufficient water and funds to build systems that can cater for rapidly growing small urban centres for the next 20 years within a short time frame. This paper describes the case of Quissanga in Mozambique, where rapid intervention was necessary due to regular cholera outbreaks, but where the nearest water source could not cater for long-term demand being an island aquifer. Even so, a piped system was put in place and the source’s capacity was later expanded through using an innovative technology in the form of a collector well. Using this phased approach, the community will be able to access critically necessary safe drinking water for 5 years while planning and fund-raising for the large project is taking place.