When water flows,
life moves forward.

A community-centred journey to transform access to clean and reliable water in Mangalali turning a long-standing water challenge into a story of health, dignity, opportunity and hope.

Explore the story Join the effort
Implementation is progressing — and the story is still being written.
4,000community members targeted for improved access
120 mborehole drilled
40,000 Lmain water storage capacity
7.5 HPelectric submersible pump
8–10k L/hrestimated pumping capacity
The story behind the water

For Mangalali, water was never just water.

For decades, Mangalali relied on the Tanangozi water scheme, a water supply system that is more than 60 years old and serves nine villages. As the population and demand for water increased, the existing system became increasingly inadequate to meet the needs of Mangalali. Water availability was intermittent, with households at times receiving water only once a week for approximately 2–3 hours.

The shortage was more than an infrastructure problem. It affected household routines, women’s time, children’s opportunities, health and local economic activity. Families could spend hours walking several kilometres in search of water.

Afyaplus and Engineers Without Borders Michigan State University Chapter began from the community’s needs: understand the challenge, listen to residents, assess existing systems, identify practical solutions and build a water system that the community can help own, operate and sustain.

Afyaplus and Mangalali community members Community consultation in Mangalali

“We say water is life. Now, the water flowing here gives us hope that our community can move forward.”

— Community voice from Mangalali
Why this matters

Water challenge touches every part of community life.

The project responds to a need that affects health, time, livelihoods, education and development.

Time lost fetching water

Long journeys to water sources placed a heavy burden on households, especially women and girls who often carry responsibility for collecting water.

Health & hygiene

Reliable water is essential for handwashing, household hygiene, sanitation and healthier living environments.

Local development

When water is available closer to homes and public spaces, families have more time and opportunity for education, farming, enterprise and community activities.

The project in numbers

Infrastructure with Impact

These milestones show the physical progress behind the wider goal: reliable, sustainable and community-owned water access.

647

Households Benefited

Reaching more than 4,000 community members with improved access to safe water.

40,000 L

Main tank

Storage capacity supporting distribution through the developing network.

2

Water points

Interim points installed near the school and borehole area for nearby residents.

5

Public Institutions Served

3 primary schools, 1 local market and 1 dispensary, benefiting the Mangalali community through access to safe and clean water.

From listening to action

Making water flow.

The project has grown through assessment, partnership, engineering, community participation and practical implementation.

01 · Start with community needs

Initial assessments included site visits, community consultations, mapping of water sources, review of the Tanangozi scheme, WASH assessment and water-quality related activities. The process helped identify priorities before infrastructure decisions were made.

Mangalali community consultation Field water assessment

02 · Find the right water source

A hydro-geological assessment was undertaken with technical support to identify a suitable borehole location and inform the development of a more reliable water source.

Hydro-geological field assessment Hydro-geological survey equipment

03 · Build the system

Drilling began on 5 August. The borehole was developed to 120 metres and fitted with a 7.5 HP electric pump. Pipework, electrical connections, pump-house infrastructure and the main 40,000-litre storage tank were incorporated into the developing distribution system.

Borehole drilling Water infrastructure work

04 · Bring water closer to people

Two interim water points were installed one near the school and another near the borehole site to improve access for nearby residents while the wider distribution network continues to develop. Additional residential points have been assessed for renovation and expansion in a subsequent phase.

Borehole drilling Water infrastructure work

05 · Build knowledge and ownership

Infrastructure is only part of sustainability. Awareness sessions promote hygiene, sanitation and responsible water use, while the water committee is being supported to understand the system, operations, maintenance responsibilities and the importance of protecting the investment.

What is being built

A system designed to do more than deliver water.

The infrastructure combines groundwater access, pumping, storage, distribution and local management.

Project team working on Mangalali water supply

Groundwater & pumping

The 120-metre borehole provides the new source, with a 7.5 HP electric pump designed to move water towards the main storage system.

  • Estimated pumping capacity of 8,000–10,000 litres per hour.
  • Pipe and electrical connections linked to the pump house.
  • Automatic float (“boya”) control to switch pumping on and off according to tank water level.
Community participation in Mangalali

Storage, distribution & access

The 40,000-litre main tank and distribution network are intended to make water more accessible and dependable for households and community facilities as implementation progresses.

  • Two interim water points already installed.
  • Additional residential points assessed for future renovation and expansion.
  • Operation and maintenance planning built into the project approach.
Mangalali community members and project team
Community at the centre
People before pipes

Community is part of the solution.

From needs assessment and consultation to trenching, backfilling, plumbing, installation and discussions around water-point maintenance, the project has been shaped around local needs and participation. The Mangalali community contributes 5% of capital construction costs and provides in-kind support during implementation, including local labour and other resources. The approach also looks beyond construction by strengthening local responsibility for operations and maintenance. The goal is simple: create a system that people can access, understand, protect and sustain not simply a project that is built and left behind.

5% contributionCommunity contribution toward capital construction costs.
Local participationLabour, consultation and practical implementation support.
Water committeeTraining in operations, maintenance and system responsibilities.
Needs-led designInfrastructure decisions informed by community priorities and assessments.
Community voices

When water starts flowing, the story becomes personal.

Most important measure of progress is what water access means to the people who live here.

We used to walk more than three to four kilometres in search of water. This affected our livelihoods, especially women who spent a lot of time walking long distances. Now, we are determined to protect the water that flows here.

— Mangalali community voice

This water is more than a new infrastructure point. It represents health, peace, joy, dignity and the possibility of spending more time on activities that help families and the community develop.

— Community perspective

Community quotations are presented as project storytelling based on recorded community reflections. Individual names can be added where consent and attribution are confirmed.

Beyond construction

Water infrastructure. WASH knowledge. Local stewardship.

Sustainability depends on both the system and the people who use and manage it.

WASH & behaviour change

Alongside the hardware, the project includes awareness and learning activities in schools and the wider community.

  • Handwashing and everyday hygiene practices.
  • Sanitation and household health practices.
  • Responsible and sustainable use of water.
  • Protecting water infrastructure for long-term use.

Operations & maintenance

Local capacity is essential for keeping water flowing after construction.

  • Water committee orientation on the full system.
  • Understanding pump, tank, pipe and water-point operations.
  • Preventive maintenance and responsibility planning.
  • Community mechanisms for future O&M costs.
Partnership makes progress possible

Many hands one shared goal.

Mangalali's water journey is strengthened by collaboration between the community, government authorities, technical institutions and development partners.

Afyaplus Organization

Afyaplus coordinates local implementation, community engagement, logistics, capacity building, monitoring and the connection between partners and the community.

Engineers Without Borders — MSU

EWB Michigan State University provides engineering collaboration, technical input, project design and construction support, alongside project-specific training.

Iringa District Council

Government engagement helps align implementation with local development priorities, provides institutional guidance and strengthens coordination at district level.

RUWASA

Collaboration with the district water authority supports technical oversight, guidance and coordination around water supply infrastructure and sustainability.

Ruaha Catholic University

Academic and technical collaboration supports field activities, data collection, water-related technical work and practical learning.

Mangalali Community

The community contributes resources, labour, local knowledge and ownership helping ensure the system responds to real needs and can be sustained.

The work continues

The water is flowing. The journey is not over.

Mangalali's transformation is still in progress. More distribution points, continued WASH education, stronger local O&M systems and sustained community ownership are part of the journey ahead. We invite donors, institutions, technical partners and individuals to join Afyaplus in expanding this effort.

Partner with us Get involved