Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

“Making water, sanitation and hygiene services adaptive, safe and resilient”

Climate change is impacting negatively on lifestyles and environments already. Climate change effects are strikingly felt through water with results such as water scarcity, contaminated water etc.

Increased demand for water due to low rainfall can cause water sources (including boreholes and springs) to run dry. Conversely, heavy rainfall and flooding can damage water sources and sanitation facilities, carry runoff and waste into streams and lakes, and contaminate the water supply.

Water scarcity through climate change and the resulting increase in the costs of water can lead to inequitable access. This may deprive households and communities of opportunities to collect the amount of safe water needed for proper hand-washing and hygiene, limiting people’s ability to stay healthy and strong.

EPDA’s response

EPDA brings years of experience in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes to communities affected by climate change. We work tirelessly to protect vulnerable communities and people from the effects of droughts, floods, storms, rising sea levels, increased competition for water, and climate-related health impacts.

We work at the local and national levels through a variety of activities:

Assessing risks

Identifying climate threats to infrastructure, services and communities is the first step to addressing them. EPDA works with stakeholders on small-scale projects to identify the risks posed to WASH services by climate change.

Implementing solutions

EPDA implements a variety of solutions to mitigate climate-related risks to WASH systems. This may include reviewing and altering the location or design of a water point or latrine (to make them flood- or cyclone-proof) or technology (deeper boreholes), or promoting renewable energy instead of diesel. Such changes can ensure that the water point or the latrine continues to be functional and accessible for decades, even after extreme weather events..

Engaging youth

EPDA works with youth groups and other stakeholders to advance climate change into community driven WASH programs as well as in schools using multi-varieted approaches. We support schools in the creation, monitoring and mentoring of environment clubs that teach students about climate change and its causes.

Influencing policy

EPDA works with government authorities as well as other stakeholders (donors and networks) to highlight the impact of climate change on children, communities and WASH services, and to ensure climate change is included in key policy discussion platforms.