Water Systems

Assessment
peter stiver

Objective
Obtain holistic view of what systems of water catchment
and filtration are being implement in the Shirati region of
Tanzania.
Assess different water systems on 4 variables:
Cost, Cultural Appropriateness, Replicability, Efficiency,
and Actual Outcome

Methods

Research of Academic Literature

Firsthand Observation
Conversations with Community Members
Interviews with NGO workers and Community Developers
Meetings with Village Water Committees

Cost
Extremely costly; Too
expensive for communities
and individuals.

Inexpensive; able to be
replicated locally and/or by
individuals.

10

Cultural Appropriateness
Not culturally appropriate;
technology or use requires
specialization.

Technology and Use of requires little

education or specialization beyond
what is readily available.

10

Replicability
Not replicable by local
communities because of
required components or
difficulty building

Easily replicable because of

access to components and
ease of construction.

10

Efficiency
System failed to provide
clean water or a sufficient
quantity of it.

System provided both clean water

and sufficient quantities to provide
for the community

10
System provided
either clean water or
a sufficient quantity

Actual Outcome
Water system failed at
fulfilling its objective.

Water system succeeded at

fulfilling its objective.

-5

5
System has not been
tested.

Collection Systems

Rain Water Catchment

Pros: Affordable, addresses quality
and quantity, replicable, and
culturally appropriate.

31

Cons: Water quantity remains a

problem, construction remains a
problem, incorrect storage can
contaminate water.

Deep Wells
Pros: Extremely effective, use
requires little training, provides
sufficient quantity.

10

24

Cons: Extremely expensive,

maintenance requires training, not
easily replicable.

Shallow Wells
Pros: Provides sufficient water
quantity, use requires little training,
cheaper than deep wells.

7*

1*

20*

Cons: Water quality is unknown, not

replicable locally, maintenance
requires training

Filtration Systems

Slow Sand Filter

Pros: Affordable, replicable locally

-3

25

Cons: Failed outcome, does not

address quantity, not culturally
appropriate

Moringa Seeds
Pros: Provides effective filtration,
replicable locally, affordable

10

-5

22

Cons: Quantity remains a problem,

use of seeds requires training,
actual outcome problematic

Solar Disinfection
Pros: affordable, culturally
appropriate, easily replicable.

10

5*

26*

Cons: quantity remains problematic,

clear bottles are not always
available, not tested in area.

Note:
variable differences that occur between
catchment/ collection and filtration.

Conclusion

Reflections