Access to clean water has been a longstanding issue in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas. Communities often rely on contaminated sources, such as rivers and springs, which require long journeys to access. In the Sidama region's Adami Teso and Kumato kebeles, residents have faced significant challenges during dry seasons when even these unreliable sources disappear.
A local woman shared her experience of collecting water from a swamp: “We know very well how dirty this water is, even just by looking at it, but we have no option other than using it. The issue is, even this water dries up after some months, which makes our life worse.” Another community member highlighted the struggle during dry periods: “We are critically challenged during the dry season, as even distant rivers and springs dry up.”
The lack of clean water affects health, education, and safety. Kasech Mergy recounted an incident where she was attacked by a hyena while fetching water at night. These stories illustrate the burdens faced by communities in water-scarce regions.
To address these issues, the World Bank-supported Ethiopia Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoA-GW4R) was launched. This initiative aims to provide sustainable groundwater access without depleting resources. It involves managing usage, protecting aquifers from pollution, and recharging groundwater supplies.
The project also focuses on enhancing resilience against climate shocks and emphasizes high-quality design to meet rising demand due to climate change and population growth. By prioritizing groundwater as a resource and supporting institutional capacity, the project offers a scalable model for essential services delivery.
A key achievement under this initiative is the Adami Tesso and Kumato Rural Piped Water Supply System. Serving over 24,000 people with 22 public taps and six cattle troughs, it promotes community ownership through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WaSHCOMs). Desta Dalecha from WaSHCOM stated: “We now consider ourselves full human beings because we have clean water, which makes people equal.”
Despite proximity to a major highway connecting Addis Ababa to Moyale in Kenya, these communities struggled with limited clean water access until now. The new system reduces disease risk and frees time for education or income generation.
At Kumato Health Center serving over 45,000 people, previous water scarcity affected hygiene and care quality. Nurse Netsanet noted improvements since receiving piped water: “Women giving birth often had to bring their own water... Now patients can focus on their health without worrying about water.”
Watadera School principal Etaferahu Yoseph remarked on improved performance thanks to reliable water access: “Water has played a vital role in improving our performance and helping us compete at the woreda level.”
The completion of this system marks an early milestone in broader efforts under the Ethiopia HoA-GW4R Program aiming for 110 rural piped systems serving around 950,000 people across underserved areas. Each project emphasizes sustainability through community involvement and climate-resilient infrastructure amidst increasing regional climate challenges.