An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi

Mkandawire, T.; Mwathunga, E.; MacDonald, A. M.; Bonsor, H. C.; Banda, S.; Mleta, P.; Jumbo, S.; Ward, J.; Lapworth, D.; Chavula, G.; Gwengweya, G.; Whaley, L.; Lark, R. M.

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd A survey on the functionality of boreholes equipped with hand pumps was undertaken in five districts in Malawi in 2016. The survey aimed at developing a robust evidence-base of the performance of hand pump boreholes by applying a tiered assessment of functionality: (1) working at the time of survey (2) producing the design yield of the borehole; (3) working for >11 months per year and (4) delivering water quality requirements from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This information would guide sustainable future investments in water and sanitation projects. A stratified two-stage random sampling strategy was adopted. The results from the survey indicate that 74% of hand pump boreholes (HPBs) were working at the time of survey; 66% of HPBs passed the design yield of 10 L per minute; 55% met the design yield and also experienced less than one month downtime within a year. Only 43% of HPBs met all the functionality requirements including WHOguidelines for drinking water quality. The survey also assessed the village-level Water Management Arrangements at each water point. Results indicate that the majority of the Water Management Arrangements (86%) are functional or highly functional. The initial exploration of the data shows no simple relationship between the physical functionality and Water Management Arrangements.

Citation

Mkandawire, T., Mwathunga, E., MacDonald, A. M., Bonsor, H. C., Banda, S., Mleta, P., Jumbo, S., Ward, J., Lapworth, D., Chavula, G., Gwengweya, G., Whaley, L., & Lark, R. M. (2020). An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 118-119, Article 102897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102897

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 6, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 18, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 18, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 19, 2022
• Journal: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
• Print ISSN: 1474-7065
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 118-119
• Article Number: 102897
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102897
• Keywords: Geochemistry and Petrology; Geophysics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5052690
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474706519301512
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi; Journal Title: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102897; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.