WATER FOR LIFE

ASSOCIATION

In 2008, within Pahou village and surroundings, a new study was conducted concerning the potability of drinking water and availability of water in the boreholes.

 

Scientific analyses were carried inside the boreholes drilled by the Danish which are no longer used by the population (2 km from the village center).

 

The sampling of water, made in the laboratory of the governmental Department of the Water of Benin in Cotonou, revealed the presence of bacteria. The results of analysis (the work was made by Marion Bois, a student of the second year of the Polytechnic Institute of the University of Montpellier II) allowed to reveal the presence of significant levels of pollution by coliformes (rates superior to those recommended by the WHO) in each of the distribution points of water of the village.

 

The 2008 situation has not changed compared to that observed in 2004. The only borehole in Pahou is not adequate and it does not satisfy the needs of a growing population due to low flow rate. Moreover, the pumping depth is not sufficient.

The exploited groundwater is subject to the organic pollution of surface. WFL recommends to drill of the second borehole to secure the healthy water supply. In addition, the construction of elevated water towers permits water distribution to standpipes located in various neighborhoods.

The pollutions by coliforms are organic pollutions bound to deficiencies in the management of the purification of wastewaters. The WFL gives itself 4 years to lead a field work of raising awareness of the population to the problems of water pollution (in particular by speaking in schools), and to find solutions to densify the infrastructures of type latrines allowing to avoid the faecal pollutions.

Finally, the WFL wishes to help to create water institute (maintenance workshop and training) in Pahou.

 

The contacts taken initially in France with Mr Arnaud ZANNOU* at the Institute of the Sciences of the Water (Montpellier II University), and renewed regularly in Benin, allowed to coordinate the actions of WFL with the arrangements that the Ministry of the hydraulics can take care. It was been advisable that WFL would intervene on extensions of network outside the center of the village (districts moved back by Pahou as well as village situated in some kilometers: Avlékété). The Ministry takes care of the installation of a new pumping and of the construction of a water tower.

 

*Mr Arnaud ZANNOU is a hydrologist and a coordinator of the Program of Water Resource management in Benin Republic