A non-profit organization providing water wells and sanitation systems to schools in Africa

When we first started the water charity organization, Drop in the Bucket, our initial concern was helping the people of Africa access fresh, clean water, so we began by digging water wells. We soon realized, however, that water, sanitation and hygiene are inextricably linked. To become more effective, we developed a three-step water sanitation system that is easy to install, cost-effective, and relatively maintenance-free.

First, we install a water well with a modified hand pump that sends some of the well water into a designated container to be used for general water needs, while the rest of the water goes into a separate reservoir tank. Next, we attach to this reservoir tank another pump, but this one is operated by a piece of playground equipment called a roundabout. Each time the children play on the roundabout, water is pumped from the reservoir tank to a hand-washing station and two sets of flushing toilets.

In the final step, the toilets are connected to a delayed septic system. Unlike the pit latrines that are common in Africa, a delayed septic system is designed to break down sewage into safe, 100% pathogen-free, 85% pure water in 28 days. This avoids the problem of toxicity from accumulated sewage, the need to relocate latrines, and the risk of groundwater contamination during rainy season.

This water system would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and insight of our good friends Bill McKay and Hunter Beattie, the true visionaries behind all of this.