Inter Aide developed a strategy for the maintenance of hand pumps in Sierra Leone (especially in the district of Bombali – North region) : in absence of private operators and sufficient means of the water institutions to inspect and repair the water points, Pump mechanics are trained to organize with the communities annual preventive diagnosis (meaning retrieving pipes and parts to clean / control / replace it).
These pump mechanics, who are in charge of a dedicated area, are the links with the communities, the officials and the spare parts providers. Part of their duty is to promote preventive maintenance and sensitize the villagers about its importance.
This note (in French) also describes the different steps leading the community to progressively enter in a demarche of financial management and investment on their system.
Note written by Gemma Kite, program manager and François Bourgois, head of sector- march 2014.
This note has been translated in french in may 2015 by Marianne Godeby.
see also www.interaide.org/watsan/sl
