MANGALALI WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PROJECT
Afyaplus, in partnership with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) – Michigan State University Chapter, is implementing the Mangalali Water Supply Distribution System Project in Mangalali Village, Iringa, Tanzania. Mangalali currently relies on the Tanangozi water scheme, a system over 60 years old that serves nine villages. Due to population growth and increasing demand, water is available in Mangalali only once a week for just 2–3 hours, either during the day or at night, with significant seasonal fluctuations.
To address these challenges, the project aims to install water distribution stations in schools, health centers, and residential areas, ensuring improved and reliable access to clean water. This project supports Afyaplus’ commitment to sustainable WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) solutions, strengthening community health, resilience, and advancing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
The project is a collaborative effort involving:
- AfyaPlus (Local Non-Profit Organization): Provides logistical support such as transportation, translation services, site preparation, capacity-building, project-specific training, monitoring, and evaluation for the duration of the project, and serves as a liaison between chapter and community
- The Mangalali Community: Contributes a minimum of 5% of the capital construction costs in cash for each project before construction begins along with in-kind support during implementation such as skilled and unskilled labor, local materials, borrowed equipment, etc. Also, ensures a funding mechanism is established to pay for 100% of the operations and maintenance upon project completion and in the future.
- Ruaha Catholic University. Assist with technical data collection, field activities, and focuses on assisting and supporting key technical aspects such as water treatment, quality testing for bacterial contamination, mineral content analysis, and other technical activities.
- Engineers Without Borders – Michigan State University Chapter: Technical data collection to complete the project design. Design and construction management while involving all partners. Provide project-specific education and training, including operation and maintenance training and manual. As well as contribute to project construction expenses such as fundraising, assistance with community grant applications, etc.
The Mangalali Water Supply Distribution System Project also serves as a key academic and practical learning opportunity for Ruaha Catholic University and Michigan State University students. These students are applying their technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and project management abilities to address real community needs. In addition, students from both universities collaboratively and actively engage in various stages of the project, contributing their expertise, particularly in areas such as water treatment, water quality testing, and community engagement. Both groups of students form an integral part of the project’s implementation team, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while helping to deliver sustainable solutions that will have a lasting impact on the Mangalali community. Through this collaboration, the project not only advances academic learning but also strengthens partnerships between local and international institutions, promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project also focuses on promoting improved WASH practices and driving behavioral change by raising community awareness about proper hygiene practices and the importance of maintaining water infrastructure for long-term sustainability. Access to reliable water is a crucial pillar for sustainable community development and overall health.
KEY ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
PROJECT NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
In mid-December 2024, a joint team comprising Afyaplus, Engineers Without Borders (Michigan State University Chapter), Ruaha Catholic University, Mangalali community leaders, and residents conducted a comprehensive needs assessment. This included:
- Deep familiarization with the project area through site visits and community survey
- Geographical mapping of existing water sources.
- Assessment of the current Tanangozi water scheme.
- Evaluation of WASH practices and collecting water samples to evaluate the quality of water used in the community.
- Testing water samples collected from households and water sources.
SHARING INTERIM SOLUTIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY;
Following the assessment, the team provided the Mangalali community with initial recommendations based on the observations made. These included advice on immediate improvements regarding water quality, hygiene behaviors, and household-level water treatment, while longer-term, sustainable solutions are being developed through the project.
