Adu Achi Water Distribution Project (2005 – 2009)

About the Community

Adu is one of 12 villages in Achi, located in southeastern Nigeria. The community of 3000 people previously relied on a stream 3 kilometers away and rainwater for their main source of water. Women of the community had to make a long trek on foot up to six times a day in order to obtain water. Based on the results of water quality tests collected by the project team, it was also determined that the stream presented a major health risk to the community of Adu Achi due to bacteria and other harmful substances present.

Project Overview & Results

The Adu Achi Nigeria Water Supply project started in 2005 with the aim of providing the community of Adu Achi with clean water.

During the first two implementation trips to the community in 2007 and 2008, a 500 foot borehole was dug and two 23,000 gallon reservoir tanks were built. Afterwards, a diesel powered pump was used to fill the reservoirs with water for the community. Later implementation trips in 2009 saw the construction of around 3 miles of pipework, 58 private household taps, and 10 public taps. A tanker tap was also installed so the community could generate revenue during the dry season by selling their excess water. Our chapter partnered with a volunteer agency in the community, the Water Project Management Committee, in order to organize the tanker stand system to allow it to run at a profit for the village.

After implementation, the team was focused on monitoring the implemented system and repairing the system when needed. Additional trips were made in 2011 and 2012 to train operators and clerks to manage the finance of the system so the community could be self-sufficient. While building the water system in Adu Achi, the project team simultaneously educated the community on safe water practices to protect themselves from waterborne illnesses and other detrimental effects of improper water storage.

All in all, the project succeeded in providing reliable, clean water to a village of 3000 people.

This project has won several awards including Best Student Presentation at the 2007 National Groundwater Association’s Ground Water Summit, the EPA P3 Phase I Award, the EPA P3 Phase II Award, and the Mondialogo International Engineering Award.

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