An estimated 4.8 million Zambians lack regular access to clean water and 6.6 million lack access to adequate sanitation facilities.
In early 2021 CO2balance completed the first verification of our Zambian Safe Water Project.
CO2balance and our in-country partner Reformed Open Community Schools rehabilitated 50 boreholes between Aug-Dec 2019 within Lundazi District, which lies in the countries Eastern Province. This project delivers safe water to rural communities who, prior to the project, were relying on unsafe, open wells and polluted rivers and therefore collecting water that needed to be purified before it was safe for human consumption. In a country where only 28% of its rural population use a basic sanitation service, the WASH training delivered to the project communities has raised awareness and encouraged behavior changes for the sustainable adoption of good hygiene practices.
Contributions have been made towards SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Throughout this first monitoring period, every borehole was rehabilitated from being broken, water quality tested with the Zambian Ministry of Health (where necessary treated to deliver certified safe water in line with the Zambian Drinking Water Standard) and underwent regular follow-up visits to ensure they were functioning well and the project was implemented successfully and check in with the communities.
CO2balance have been going through the thorough verification review for a few months, a process within which the Gold Standard, the body verifying this project, undertook in-depth assessments and checks on the project to ensure it met their stringent requirements for the carbon saving and contribution to the SDGs.