Children at Rwamwanja refugee camp in Kamwenge district, Western Uganda enjoy water from an ATM machine. Photo by Felix Basiime
Water ATMs, delivering inclusive water access in refugees Settlements.
A ccess to water is one of the significant challenges that refugee settlements in Uganda grapple with. Even when water sources are available, they are far and often not convenient for groups such as people living with disabilities, the elderly and women who shoulder the most significant burden of care work.
Agencies like Oxfam and UNHCR have recognised this challenge. They are piloting innovations in various refugee settlements to make access to water reliable and inclusive. One of their recent pilots is the innovative automated water system. Water ATM, as commonly known, is a prepaid water dispenser that provides refugees and their host communities reliable and clean water twenty-four hours a day at an affordable fee. The Water ATMs are connected to existing water supply network managed by Oxfam in Kyaka and National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Rwamwanja.
In two refugee settlements of Rwamwanja and Kyaka II in South Western Uganda, Oxfam, with funding from its humanitarian innovation fund, has installed 30 water ATMS benefiting an estimated population of 10,000 refugees and their host communities.
Mr Edwin Nabimanya, the Public Health Engineering Officer of Oxfam at Sweswe water treatment plant explaining the processes of water supply at Kyaka II refugee camp in Kyegegwa district. According to Mr. Ambayo Okudi, the Public Health Engineering Officer at Oxfam, the physical ATM structures are fifteen, with ten in Kyaka II and five in Rwamwanja.
Each ATM has two tap stands, giving thirty in total. Water is accessed through a paid token that is issued to each household. The token is used to dispense only a certain quantity of water per day. To ensure that all refugees including the most vulnerable can access water, the bills are paid by UNHCR only for refugees. The automated systems have since shortened the distance to access water as they are within reach of the refugee vicinity. Access to safe water has been significantly improved, especially for the people living with disability, the elderly, and women.
They can fetch water whenever they want it without worrying about queuing up or walking long distances. The system allows for flexibility, better planning and minimises wastage. People can fetch water at their convenience and just enough water for their families. Chances of spillage are minimal as water only runs when a token is inserted. The token credits can only be spent on the water so the money cannot be stolen or misspent. The sustainability of these water systems is very crucial to Oxfam. In Rwamwanja, Ambayo explains that discussion on change of ownership to National Water and Sewerage Corporation is at the advanced stage. This is in line with Oxfam support to the sustainable transition of water supplies to government utilities
Managing water stress Despite the various interventions by Oxfam and other actors, water supply remains a challenge with low water coverage across the two refugee settlements. Mr. Leo Migabi the camp commandant for Rwamwanja says that Rwamwanja is a water-stressed area, but with partner support, they hope the stress will come down. Mr. Jackson Birungi, the NWSC branch manager Nkoma-Katalyeba Town council, which is within the settlement, says the company covers 51km of the pipeline but mainly along the road. “We had a challenge of water storage capacity but in April we shall have a water tank of 108,000 litres which will connect unserved villages to 90 percent,” says Birungi, adding:
“The Covid-19 pandemic affected our rate of extending water to our target of 1000 individual household connections currently we have 408 customers.” Delivering water through other water systems Besides the water ATMS, Oxfam has been supported with funding from the European Union (EU), Belgian Government (DGD) and UNHCR to set up other water supply systems towards addressing the water gaps.
The water systems include both the motorised and non-motorised schemes (hand pumps and protected springs) Thirty kids from school take water from one of the motorized water points Motorised water Systems There are three motorised water systems in Kyaka II designed with eco-friendly hybrid technology. These systems are powered by solar electric power or generator as a backup power with in case of outages.
These systems include Sweswe, Buliti and Bujuburi. Oxfam does the management of the water system on behalf of UNHCR. Mr. Edwin Nabimanya, the Oxfam Public Health Engineering Officer, says Oxfam and its partners pump over 500,000 liters daily from Sweswe Surface Water (dam) in Kyaka II, treat it before it is pumped to three water reservoir tanks of 100,000 liters each and distributed to refugees and the host community. With funding from European Union, Oxfam has embarked on Sweswe dam catchment protection/restoration to secure it from encroachment and dumping. This will ensure the reliability of clean water
