An alliance of Irish water sector companies has joined with humanitarian aid agency, GOAL, to help deliver sustainable WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Former Irish Water CEO Jerry Grant discussing with village chiefs in Macca in rural Kenema in Sierra Leone plans by Water-Share Ireland to bring fresh water supply to the village.
This new collaboration, called Water-Share Ireland, is a unique partnership of key water sector companies aiming to leverage expertise, experience and funding to help sustainable implementation of water and sanitation programmes in developing countries.
The initiative is led by the former managing director of Irish Water, Jerry Grant, working with sector company representatives.
Strong support
There is strong support within the Irish water industry (public and private) to work with experienced humanitarian agencies, like GOAL, to deliver meaningful water services programmes where they are needed most. This partnership is a unique blend of profit and non profit partnering to create real change in partnership with local communities.
A number of leading companies in the sector have come on board as corporate members of Water-Share Ireland including major consulting engineering organisations along with a number of leading contractors. More companies are expected to join in 2020.
GOAL delivers a range of water and sanitation programmes across ten countries, in both rural and urban settings. It works with communities and the private sector to deliver sustainable solutions that address public health, hygiene and nutrition issues.
Lives positively changed
Last year alone, through water and sanitation programmes, more than 1.4 million peoples lives were positively changed. In Syria, one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world today, Goal provided access to water for more than 826,000 people.
Jerry Grant discussing with water provision plans with village chiefs in Macca in rural Kenema in Sierra Leone.
Similarly, in Ethiopia water and sanitation programmes reached 242,000 people and, in Sudan, 115,000.
To date, projects are being undertaken in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Syria (see below).
Jerry Grant said the Water-Share Ireland/GOAL approach would focus on the sustainable development of WASH facilities for communities lacking these basic services. “Our target areas have limited scope for modern technologies, power and maintenance skills.
"Even when GOAL can access funds for delivery of infrastructure, the success of the work relies on building capability at local level to operate and maintain facilities from which the very poorest can benefit.
"This is where we come in. GOAL staff on the ground can now call on technical assistance from Irish water Engineers and technologists. This should enable GOAL to increase the scale and effectiveness of its programmes.” he said.
GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh said: "This is a wonderful consortium of private sector, humanitarian workers and local communities all committed to ensuring those in need have access to sustainable water solutions.
"The potential and power of this partnership is extraordinary. It impacts health, education, and is a life changer. We are excited to collaborate, learn and develop new ways to solve problems that will help us create a better world."
Water-Share Ireland/GOAL in action
- Sierra Leone In Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Water-Share Ireland is supporting GOAL in the development of a Faecal Sludge Treatment facility. Currently most of the faecal waste for Freetown’s 1.1 million people is dumped in a 43-acre landfill, causing a huge health risk.
- Uganda In Uganda Water-Share Ireland plans to develop safe drinking water supplies in Namayingo District in the South East of the country, a rural region where access to clean water is as low as 10% in some villagies. Watershare has also commenced technical support to GOAL in Zimbabwe, to help deliver six new gravity water supplies.